Infection Prevention Control Statement

1. Infection transmission incidents (Significant events)

Provide details of infection transmission incidents (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events), how they were investigated, any lessons learnt and changes made as a result to facilitate future improvements. 

The practice has developed an IPC issue log. Any IPC issues reported by staff are added to this list and dealt with accordingly. This means we can see any recurring issues/patterns and implement ways to improve. Our audit results also identify infection control risks. Three main areas have been identified this year.

1. Incorrect disposal of contaminated waste. To improve in this area, we have had discussions with our cleaning company and staff training. 
2. Expired Curtains. To improve in this area, all curtains were changed and a spreadsheet added to the IPC file to allow us to monitor this and change at the set frequency for room type.
3. Premises IPC risks. We identified issues such as: water damaged splash back on sink, Poor condition blinds in a clinical room, damaged low level trunking in toilets and broken hand dispensers. All of which were rectified in a timely manner.

2. IPC Audits and actions 

Provide an overview of IPC audit programme as well as examples of good practice and actions taken to address suboptimal compliance.

Audits regularly completed in the following areas: 

• Cold chain audit on a 3 monthly basis. No issues have been identified. 
• Fridge stock & Fridge cleaning completed on a monthly basis.  No issues have been identified.
• Sharps management completed on a 3 monthly basis. To address suboptimal compliance, we have also provided training to all clinical staff on the correct use of sharps and sharps boxes during TIPTOES session. This also included an update on our needlestick policy.  We are also implementing safer sharps within the practice to reduce the risk of needle stick injuries.
• General waste management completed on a 3 monthly basis. To address suboptimal compliance, we have had discussions with our cleaning companies. 
• Hand hygiene audit completed on an annual basis for clinical staff. To address suboptimal compliance, we have provided training to our staff. We have also implemented hand hygiene audits on non-clinical staff to reduce the spread of infection within the practice.
• Uniform audit on an annual basis for clinical staff. Clinical uniforms provided by the practice. No issues have been identified.
• Don/doff PPE audit on an annual basis for clinical staff. No issues identified.
• Room cleaning audit completed on a 3 monthly basis
• Cleaning cupboard audits completed on a 3 monthly basis
• Environmental cleanliness audit completed on a 3 monthly basis

Results from audits are discussed in our weekly MDT meetings and other staff meetings nd also notifications sent to staff. 

Any changes implemented are reviewed on the following Audit cycle.

3. Risk Assessments 

Provide details of IPC related risk assessments carried out and actions taken to prevent and control infection.

Risk assessments are conducted to minimise infection prevention and control risks. It ensures a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Risk assessments conducted in the last year

1. COSHH – by cleaning company
2. Functional risk categories of rooms – by cleaning company / practice IPC lead & Practice Manager
3. Immunisation status new clinical staff – by HR

4. Staff training 

Provide details of IPC induction training, annual updates and any other IPC related training.

All staff are IPC trained as they have completed the mandatory E-learning for Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control module online. Also, as part of TIPTOES, infection prevention control learning material has been disseminated. Clinical staff have taken part in sharps management and disposal education. Audits have been completed which requires observing staff in practice and giving feedback relating to infection prevention control principles. This is a learning opportunity for improvement to IPC management for all clinical staff.

Resources: Sharps disposal colour chart in place; hand washing technique posters, appropriate use of PPE poster. Clinical room cleaning requirements posters in all rooms.

5. IPC Policies, procedures and guidance

Provide details of all policy reviews and updates, together with details of how changes have been implemented.

SPMG policies: All reviewed and updated through 2025 to 2026. Policies to be reviewed and updated annually to follow National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for England guidelines.

• Accidental contamination and needlestick injury policy
• Antimicrobial Stewardship policy
• Aseptic technique policy
• BBVs policy
• Clostridium difficile policy
• Creutzfeldt-Jakon disease policy
• Decontamination Policy 
• Hand hygiene policy
• Invasive Devices policy
• Isolation Policy 
• MRGNB and CPE policy
• MRSA policy
• Personal Protective equipment (PPE) Policy 
• Sharps management Policy 
• Uniform Policy 
• Waste Disposal Policy
• Notifiable disease policy
• Outbreak of communicable disease policy
• Patient placement/ assessment of risk policy
• PVL SA policy
• Respiratory cough and hygiene policy
• Respiratory illness policy
• Safe management of blood/body fluid policy
• Safe Management of care equipment policy
• Safe management of linen policy
• Safe management of care environment policy
• Scabies policy
• SICP's and TBP's policy
• Specimen collection policy

Clinical staff refer directly to UK Health Security Agency and UKHSA health protection team with a notifiable infectious disease concern and follow local and national guidance. 

6. Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship

Provide details of all activities undertaken to promote and improve antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship.

A member of clinical staff is allocated as the antimicrobial stewardship lead. They liaise with pharmacists and collect data relating to antimicrobial stewardship. Such as: ensuring antibiotics are prescribed in line with national guidance; appropriate use of antibiotics; correct prescription of Amoxicillin and monitoring antibiotics on repeat prescription. Regular searches for SPMG antibiotic prescribing are completed and this information is fed back to the clinical team through MDT meetings, to help ensure targets are met. 

Forward plan/Quality improvement plan review date: 5th December 2026

Next annual statement due: 5th June 2027