Infection Prevention and Control Organisational Statement

The purpose of Infection Control is to limit the acquisition and spread of infection and to ensure that no person is harmed by preventable infection and disease. At Bay Medical Group we will inform and promote awareness and understanding to all healthcare workers, patients, and visitors about the importance of infection control in the interests of patient, visitor and staff safety.

Infection Control Annual Statement

Introduction

The purpose of Infection Control is to limit the acquisition and spread of infection and to ensure that no person is harmed by preventable infection and disease. At Bay Medical Group we will inform and promote awareness and understanding to all healthcare workers, patients and visitors about the importance of infection control in the interests of patient, visitor and staff safety. This philosophy is integrated into our daily practice.

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 action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Incident Reporting 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 lead for Infection Prevention and Control is Amanda Davey, Clinical Services Manager supported by Sepsis Lead Will Harrison Advanced Clinical Practitioner, IPC Link Practice Nurses at Sites: West End – Trene Whitehouse, Georgia Haddow, Heysham Primary Care Centre – Karen Fletcher, Steph Holloway, Westgate – Kate Cannon, York Bridge – Cathy Williams, Morecambe Health Centre – Michelle Leadbetter & Torun McMoran.

Amanda Davey has attended an IPC Lead training course in April 2024 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice. The supporting roles are new and supported by Amanda Davey in their development.

Infection transmission incidents

Incidents (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 are reviewed in the Quality Safety and Governance meetings and learning will be cascaded to all relevant staff.

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

The CQC inspection carried out in October 2023 highlighted the need for implementation of more effective arrangements for infection prevention and control training of practice staff and this is now being implemented with audit and action plans.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control site audits were completed by Site Managers in January 2024. Rotating site audits of equipment, hand hygiene, aseptic technique and safety of care equipment
As a result of the audits, the following things have been addressed:

• Policies have been updated 
• Review and replacement of some clinical sinks
• Schedules for deep cleaning of treatment rooms
• Bimonthly meeting of IPC Lead and IPC Link Nurses
• Decontamination labelling of care equipment
• Focus on Bare below the elbow for clinical teams 

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 its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff.

Training

All our staff complete online training in infection prevention and control according to their role. Amanda will hold an IPC and Staff Vaccination update annually in September. Individualised training will be provided to support staff when a high risk is indicated.

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Links to access the most up to date infection Control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

Amanda Davey
Clinical Services Manager, Infection Prevention and Control Lead
August 2024