Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in May 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

New Horizons Medical Partnership Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Rebecca Hyom Practice Nurse.

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 in the staff meetings 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 Rebecca Hyom in June 2024 and further follow up inspections were completed in the following months.

As a result of the audit, the following things have/will be changed.

New posters have been placed around the surgery reminding practitioners about hand hygiene, daily room cleaning and sharps safety.

Rooms have been de cluttered.

Cleaning protocols have been updated.

Dr Cassell has undertaken an audit of joint injection in 2023/2024 and there were no recorded infections.

Dr Godfrey has undertaken an audit of coil/implant insertion in 2023/ 2024 and there were no recorded infections.

A general infection control update is giving at the 2 monthly nurse meeting and emails are regularly sent to other practitioners with infection control updates.

New Horizons Medical plan to undertake the following audits in 2025

• Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
• Joint injection audit
• Coil and implant audit
• Domestic Cleaning audit
• Phlebotomy audit
• Hand Hygiene 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:

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.

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.

Curtains: The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled

Training

All our staff receives annual training in infection prevention and control.

The IPC lead keeps updated on infection prevention practice by attending quarterly meetings for Infection Control leads facilitated by Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB).

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 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

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

Review date

August 2025

Responsibility for Review

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