icon

INFECTION CONTROL ANNUAL STATEMENT

2023/2024

Purpose 

This annual statement will be generated and reviewed each year 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 our significant event procedure)
  • Details of any infection control audits undertaken, 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 guideline

Background: 

240 Wexham Road Surgery Lead for Infection Prevention /Control is Practice Nurse May Teodore and supported by Dr Veena Sharma (Clinical Lead), Namita Sharma (Business and Compliancy Lead) and Wendy Chambers (Assistant Practice Manager).

This team keep updated with infection prevention & control practices and share necessary information with staff and patients throughout the year. 

Significant events: 

In the past year January 2022 and up to review of this statement June 2023 there have been no significant events that related to infection prevention & control. 

Audits: 

An external IPC audit inspection has been carried out with Vanessa Seeboruth, Frimley ICB IPC lead on 13th June 2023. 

Detail what audits were undertaken and by whom and any key changes to practice implemented as a result. 

  • General one every year
  • Hand Hygiene
  • Cold Chain
  • Vaccine storage
  • Clinical and Non-Clinical Waste Audit
  • Cleaning

Risk Assessments: 

Regular risk assessments are undertaken to minimise the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The following risk assessments related to infection prevention & controls have been completed in the past year and appropriate actions have been taken: 

  • Health and Safety:  Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) | Fire | Legionella risk assessment | Disability Access
  • Disposal of clinical and non- clinical waste
  • Spillage Kits
  • Sharps injury
  • Use of personal protective clothing/equipment
  • Risk of body fluid spills
  • PPE

Staff training: 

4 new staff joined this 240 Wexham Road Surgery in the past 12-months and received infection control and hand-washing training within 6 months of employment. 

100% of the Practice Clinical staff completed their annual infection prevention & control update training via Blue Stream/eLfH online training. 

100% of the Practice non-clinical staff completed their annual infection prevention & control update training. 

The Infection Control Leads have attended annual updates for their role provided the Infection Prevention & Control Nurse for Berkshire East ICB. 

Infection Control Advice to Patients:

Patients are encouraged to use the alcohol hand gel/sanitiser dispensers that are available throughout the surgery. 

There are leaflets/posters available in the Medical Centre/Surgery on:

  • MRSA
  • Norovirus
  • Chickenpox & shingles
  • Influenza
  • The importance of immunisations (e.g. in childhood and in preparation for overseas travel)
  • Recognising symptoms of TB

Policies, procedures and guidelines 

The infection prevention and control related policy, and the cleaning standards schedule policy, have been updated in the last year. 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. 

Responsibility 

It is the responsibility of all staff members at 240 Wexham Road to be familiar with the IPC statement and their roles and responsibilities within the statement. 

IPC Statement Review 

The IPC lead and Namita Sharma (Business and Compliance Manager) are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement. This annual statement will be updated on or before June 2024.

Please click here to download the entire document.