Ash Surgery 21.3.2022

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in April 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 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 guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead 

The lead for infection prevention and control at Ash Surgery is Carolyn Williams, Lead Practice Nurse.

The IPC lead is supported by Infection Prevention Solutions Ltd

a)   Infection transmission incidents (significant events) 

Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events.

Positive events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised of areas of best practice. 

Negative events are managed by the staff member who either identified or was advised of any potential shortcoming.  This person will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) for that commences an investigation process to establish what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. 

All significant events are reviewed and discussed at several meetings each month.  Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow. 

In the past year there have been 0 significant events raised that related to infection control.  There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

b)  Infection prevention audit and actions

External IPC audit completed by IPS Ltd on 17.03.2022.  Rating is GOOD

c)  Risk assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any rise is minimised to be as low as reasonably practicable.  Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed. 

In the last year, the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed. 

• General IPC risks
• Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training
• COSHH
• Cleaning standards
• Privacy curtain cleaning or changing
• Staff vaccinations
• Infrastructure changes
• Sharps
• Water Safety
• Toys
• Assistance dogs 

In the next year, the following risk assessment will also be reviewed.

d)  Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Ash Surgery all staff and contractors receive IPC induction training on commencing their post.  Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually. 

Various elements of IPC training in the previous year have been delivered. 

e)  Policies and procedures 

Policies relating to infection prevention and control area available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually.  Additionally, all policies are amended on an ongoing basis and per current advice, guidance and legislation changes. 

f)  Responsibility 

It is the responsibility of all staff members at Ash Surgery to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.

g)  Review 

The IPC lead and Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.  

This annual statement will be updated on or before 01.04.2023

Signed by

S Skinner 

For and on behalf of Ash Surgery