Infection Control Annual Statement 2024

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in October 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 action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure)
  • Details of any infection control audits undertaken 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

The Dapdune House Surgery has 1 Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Lucy Cooper (RGN)

The IPC Lead is supported by: Jamie Slingo - Operations Manager (Deputy)

Lucy Cooper has attended an IPC Lead training course in 2016 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice.

Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events)

Significant 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 significant events are reviewed quarterly, in a meeting attended by the clinical teams and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Lucy Cooper (RGN) in October 2023

As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed in Dapdune House Surgery:

  • New Clinical Waste disposal bins
  • Plans to decorate/replace carpets in clinical rooms as per maintenance schedule
  • Hand washing training is undertaken with every new starter as part if there induction.

The Dapdune House Surgery plan to undertake the following audits in 2024

  • Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
  • Domestic Cleaning audit
  • Hand hygiene audit
  • Waste Management Audit
  • Legionella Audit 
  • Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out / reviewed:

Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff.

Immunisation: As a practice we ensure that all of our staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal Flu). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.

Toys: We have no toys in the practice

Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: We have a cleaning specification and frequency policy which our cleaners and staff work to. An assessment of cleanliness is conducted by the cleaning team and logged. This includes all aspects in the surgery including cleanliness of equipment.

Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. Some of our sinks do not meet the latest standards for sinks many have uncovered overflows. We will be either replacing or covering these through our maintenance program.

Training

All our clinical staff receive yearly training in infection prevention and control. Training is via Blue Stream Academy and is completed every year through e-learning

Policies

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings on an annual basis.

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

Lucy Cooper

Registered Nurse

For and on behalf of the Dapdune House Surgery