Annual Infection Prevention and Control Statement

We are committed to high standards of Infection Prevention and Control to ensure safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Purpose of the statement:

This Annual statement has been drawn up on 03/04/2026 in accordance with the requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.                                            

It summarises:

1.    Infection transmission incidents and actions taken

2.    IPC audits undertaken and subsequent actions implemented

3.    Risk assessments undertaken, IPC risks identified and any actions taken for prevention and control of infection

4.    Staff training for IPC and competency assurance

5.    Review and update of IPC policies, procedures and guidelines

6.    Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship

Members of Staff in Infection Control Team:

Nurse heather Field ( IPC lead)

Dr Elena Cochrane (Clinical lead)

Jonathan White, Practice Manager (Environmental and Waste management Lead)

Brook Smith and Alicia Sealey (Admin leads)

They oversee and are responsible for:

• Monitoring IPC systems and compliance
• Completing and documenting IPC risk assessments
• Delivering IPC updates and promoting good practice (posters, briefings, training)
• Implementing national and local IPC guidance
• Coordinating annual IPC audits and ensuring actions are completed
• Sharing key IPC messages with the practice team
• Attending relevant ICB / IPC updates

The Environmental Cleaning Lead is responsible for:

• Ensuring appropriate cleaning specifications, oversight and documentation to support IPC
• Waste management

  1.    Infection transmission incidents

  Infection-related significant events are reviewed as they occur in line with practice procedures and learning is shared with the team. No infection-related significant events were recorded for the period April 2025 – March 2026.

  2.    IPC Audits and actions

  Annual IPC audit was conducted in April 2026.

  Regular checks and adutis are completed throughout the year including hand hygiene,decontamination processes, cold chain audit, PPE and sharps management.

   

  3.    Risk Assessments

  They are carried out annually.

  Staff immunisation: to ensure all members of staff are immunised accordingly to their roles

  Legionella water assessment: to ensure it is safe for staff and visitors

  Cleaning specifications: reviewed annually with the Manager of the cleaning company to ensure regular audits are done and specification is adhered to.

   

  4.    Staff training

  All new staff undergo IPC training at induction.

  All staff undergo annual training in infection prevention.

  IPC audit discussed in staff meetings ( clinical and non clinical) and hand hygiene training is undertaken.

   

  5.    IPC Policies, procedures and guidance

  All policies are updated annually and are available to all members of staff to peruse.

  They are amended accordingly to the changes in current advice and guidance.

   

  6.    Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship

  Clinicians worked closely with ICB prescribing advisors to improve antibiotic prescribing