Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in January 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 been reported in accordance with our significant event procedure)
- Details of any infection control audits undertaken, and actions undertaken
- Details of any risk assessment undertaken for prevention and control
- Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) lead
Broad Street Health Centre has a Lead for infection prevention and control: Dawn Kennedy (prescribing paramedic)
The IPC Lead is supported by: Elena Orr (practice manager) & Ian Kennedy (clinical lead AHCP).
This team keeps updated with infection prevention and control practices and share necessary information with staff and patients throughout the year.
Infection transmission incidents (significant event)
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 monthly practice meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.
As a result of these events, whilst Broad Street Health Centre has not had any significant events concerning infection control this year, has:
- Continued with an annual infection control update for both clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Ensured infection control guidance remains accessible to all staff.
Infection transmission incidents (significant event)
The annual infection prevention and control audit was completed by IK/EO in 2023.
As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed:
- New waiting room chairs have been procured.
The Practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2019:
- Annual infection prevention and control audit
- MRSA audit
- Sharps injury
- Hand washing techniques
- Wound care
- Phlebotomy
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.
- Immunisations: As a practice we ensure that all of our agreed 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). We take part in the National Immunisations campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population. We also offer DTP.
- Curtains: Disposable curtains are used in clinical rooms and are changed every 6 months according to manufacturer instructions. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed more frequently if damaged or soiled.
- A COSHH (Control of Substance Hazardous to Heath) risk assessment was completed, and appropriate action taken.
Training
All our staff receives annual training in infection prevention and control.
All new staff receives infection control and hand washing training within 2 months of employment.
Infection control lead have an annual update. Information is then disseminated to the clinical team within the monthly education meeting, and to non-clinical staff via an annual training presentation.
The nurse team either attends an annual infection control update led by the infection prevention & control nurse for Berkshire West ICB or complete and annual e-learning update.
Infection control advice to patients
Patients are encouraged to use the alcohol hand sanitiser dispensers that are available throughout the surgery.
There are leaflets and posters available in the surgery on:
- MRSA
- Norovirus
- Chicken Pox and Shingles
- Influenza
- The importance of immunisations
- Recognising symptoms of TB
Policies
All infection prevention and control related polices are in date for this year.
Polices relating to infection prevention and control are available to all staff and 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 everyone to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
Review date: 31 January 2024
Responsibility for review
The infection prevention and control lead and the practice manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.
Dawn Kennedy (IPC lead (prescribing paramedic)
Elena Orr (practice manager)
Ian Kennedy (clinical lead AHCP)
For and on behalf of Broad Street Health Centre