Infection Prevention and Control Statement

 

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Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in November, 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. The report will be published on the practice website and will include the following summary:

  • Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with the practice significant event procedure).
  • Details of any infection control audits carried out and actions undertaken.
  • Details of any risk assessments undertaken for the prevention and control of infection.
  • Details of staff training.
  • Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines. 

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Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead 

The leads for infection prevention and control at Weavers Medical are Jo Barker, Yana Burke, Haley Hersey and Aimee McDowall.

a. Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events. Positive events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised in areas of best practice.

Negative events are managed by the staff member who either identified or was advised of any potential shortcoming. This person will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) form which commences an investigation process to establish what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.

All significant events are reviewed and discussed at several meetings each month. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.

In the past year, there have been 0 significant events raised which related to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

b. Infection prevention audit and actions

  • IPC audit at Weavers main site (Prospect House) completed in June 2024.
  • IPC audit at Weavers branch surgery (Mawsley village branch) completed in July 2024.
  • As part of the Mawsley branch surgery audit, it was decided to refurbish the 3 nurse treatment rooms and the utility room. Worked commenced in October 2024 and was completed in January 2025.
  • Hand hygiene audit at Weavers main site (Prospect House) completed in June and July 2024.
  • Hand hygiene audit at Mawsley branch site (Mawsley village branch) completed in October 2024.

c. Risk assessments and Audits

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed.

In the last year, the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:

  • General IPC risks – covered in the annual audits (room audits, duty of care audit, pre acceptance audit).
  • Staffing, induction training and ongoing training as detailed below.
  • COSHH – periodic audits and rolling updates and RAs.
  • Cleaning standards – regular spot checks undertaken. Cleaning standards updated annually. RAs completed for any new equipment introduced.
  • Privacy curtains changes. Nurse rooms changed every 6 months, GP rooms changed every 12 months, or sooner if soiled.
  • Staff vaccinations – all staff cleared by OH prior to starting in post. If a vaccination is declined, a RA is undertaken prior to undertaking any work.
  • Infrastructure changes – room changes always involve an IPC overview and RA.
  • Sharps and clinical waste – audits completed annually and reported to waste contractor.
  • Water safety - Annual legionella risk assessment. 6 month cold water tank clean. Hot and cold water temperature monitoring completed monthly. A preventative maintenance plan is in place.
  • The practice does not keep toys at either site.

d. Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, all staff of Weavers Medical receive IPC induction training on commencing of employment. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually, either via online resources or an in person training event with an IPC professional.

e. Policies and procedures

Policies relating to infection prevention and control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually. Additionally, all policies are amended on an ongoing basis as per current advice, guidance and legislation changes.

f. Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all employees members at Weavers Medical to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.

g. Review

The managing partner is responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.

This annual statement will be updated on or before 30/11/2025.

Signed by Jo Barker, Managing Partner

For and on behalf of Weavers Medical