Infection Control Annual Statement

The Grange Surgery

Infection Control Annual Statement

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in July 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 taken
  • 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 Grange Surgery has 2 Lead(s) for Infection Prevention and Control: Dr K Bannell , Sister Bethany Andrews/Sister Claire Dunn, Practice Nurses.

The IPC Leads are supported by: Julieanne Page, Practice Manager

Sister Andrews has attended an IPC Lead training course in 2022 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice by attending the ICB Infection prevention Forums regularly.

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 fortnightly Clinical 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 Sister Andrews and Sister Dunn in August 2024.

As a result of the audit, the following have been changed at The Grange Surgery

  • Old carpet replaced by hard cleanable floors if all communal corridors.
  • New cupboards supplied to store personal items and reduce clutter.
  • Offensive waste bin installed in patients’ toilets.
  • Change to daily cleaning schedule for consulting rooms and expectations of clinicians regarding cleaning regime.
  • Wall mounted single cartridge soap dispensers in clinical rooms and toilets.
  • 5 moments of Hand hygiene posters in clinical rooms as aide memoire
  • Spill kit posters updated.

 

The Practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2024/25

  • Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship Audit – Dr Adele Bevan
  • Domestic Cleaning audit -undertaken by Cleaning Contractor
  • Hand hygiene audit
  • Vaccine stock and cold chain Audit -Lisa Newson, Practice Nurse

 

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 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, COVID vaccine). 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 cleaned or if using disposable curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect we use disposable curtains and ensure they are changed every 6 months. The window blinds are very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build-up of dust. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are never handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled.
  • Toys: NHS Cleaning Specifications recommend that all toys are cleaned regularly and we therefore provide only wipeable toys in the waiting room, not in consultation rooms.
  • 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 but we have removed plugs, covered overflows and reminded staff to turn of taps that are not ‘hands free’ with paper towels to keep patients safe. We have also replaced our liquid soap with wall mounted soap dispensers to ensure cleanliness.

Training

  • All staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control.
  • Clinical staff training (including GP’s) take part in annual e-learning and face to face training.
  • Non-clinical staff training have undertaken e-learning regarding infection, prevention and control.
  • Dr K Bannell has taken specialist training in joint injections.
  • Dr P Mileham has taken specialist training in LARC Implanon insertion and removal.

Policies

The following policies continue to be reviewed and updated:

  • Infection prevention and control policy
  • Cleaning schedule
  • Spirometry SOP
  • Cold Chain Policy

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 via Clarity 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 31st, 2025

Responsibility for Review

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

Sister Claire Dunn/Sister Bethany Andrews Practice Nurses

For and on behalf of the Grange Surgery