Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. It summarises:
- Any infection transmission incidents and any actions taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Learning Events Procedure)
- Details of any infection control audits and actions undertaken
- Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
- Details of staff training
- Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead
Beech Tree Surgery has one lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Claire Underwood, Nurse Manager
The IPC Lead is supported by Zoe Dyson, Practice Manager
Infection Transmission Incidents (Significant Learning Events)
Significant Learning Events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All learning events are reviewed in the practice staff meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant personnel.
In the past year there has been one learning events raised that related to infection control. This related to a change in the specified clinical waste bags provided by our clinical waste management company without our knowledge. The incident was shared with the wider practice team and corrected.
Infection Prevention Audit and Actions
The latest annual Infection Prevention and Control audit for Beech Tree Surgery was completed by Claire Underwood in February 2024.
As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed or are currently being reviewed:
- Infection Control E-Learning to be completed by all staff no later than the 31/3/24
- Wall mounted paper towel holders to be installed into toilets
- Carpets in clinical rooms to be replaced with vinyl flooring
- Fit testing for FFP3 masks to be sourced
- Clinical waste bags occasionally unsigned and not dated
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year hand hygiene risk assessments were carried out.
Training
All our staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control and hand hygiene.
Policies
All Infection Prevention and Control polices are in date for this year 2024.
Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually by Zoe Dyson, Practice Manager, and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Infection control polices are available to staff for reading on our Intranet.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
Review Date
February 2025
Responsibility for Review
The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the IPC Support Lead are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.
Publication
A copy of this Annual Statement will be uploaded to our practice website, and we will notify patients of any seasonal or other outbreaks that they may need to be aware of via posters in the surgery and on our website.