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 Two Rivers Medical Partnership lead for Infection Prevention and Control is Winnie Sheppard, Practice Nurse supported by Anne Hardiman, Nurse Practitioner.

The IPC Lead is supported by Kate Williams and Dawn Noble

Anne Hardiman has attended an IPC Lead training course in 2016 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice. Winnie Sheppard is new to the role but is supported by Anne Hardiman and the Infection Prevention and Control team.

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 monthly practice 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.

The CQC inspection carried out in August 2016 highlighted the need for more training of practice staff and this is now being implemented with handwashing audit carried out and training in specimen handling and spillages. Further training is planned.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Winnie Sheppard in October 2018.

As a result of the audit, the following things have been addressed:

• Policies have been updated across both sites
• Cleaning schedules have been displayed in each room
• Regular schedules for deep cleaning of treatment rooms are now in place
• Immunisations: As a practice we ensure that all of our staff are up to date with their immunisations; staff records are in the process of being updated to include all communicable diseases.
• A new stock control system for the storage and use of our vaccines is in the process of being devised.

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.

A review of practice premises and policies is due to be carried out by staff from W Hampshire CCG infection control team is due to be carried out in February 2018.

Training

All our staff receive training in infection prevention and control according to their role. The majority of this is carried out ‘in house’. The infection control lead participates in local infection control forums and is able to access specialist advice and training.

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.

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

Winnie Sheppard, Practice Nurse
Anne Hardiman: Advanced Nurse Practitioner
October 2019