Infection Prevention and Control

Posted by: Nicola Synnott - Posted on:

Annual Statement 2025-2026

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated annually 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 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 prevention and control of infection

· Details of staff training

· Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Lead

The King’s Medical Practice lead for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is Helen Wright, ANP and Nurse Partner

The IPC Lead is supported by:

Nicola Hatfield – Practice Manage

Michael Land -Operations Manager

IPC champion – Faiza Haq

Helen Wright and Faieza Haq will attend the annual update for IPC leads in February 2026.

Infection Transmission Incidents (Significant Events)

Significant learning events (SLE’s), 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. At the point of writing this report there has not been any SEA’s pertaining to infection control and prevention.

Infection Prevention Audit & Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by the local IPC team in November 2024 with Helen Wright, Nichola Hatfield and Faieza Haq.

A score of 98% was achieved.  The next audit and inspection will provided by the IPC local team to be undertaken in December 2025/January 2026.

As a result of the audit, the following changes were made at King’s Medical Practice:

·    Spill packs were updated to meet specifications for the management of different bodily fluids and stored in containers to aid identify the correct method.

  • Full assessment in line with the new National Cleaning Standards (2025) was undertaken with the new cleaning company – Edwards employed.
  • The decision to hire a ‘handy man’ to maintain the property at the cost of King’s Medical Practice was made by the Partners to enable issues to be managed in a timely fashion as contractual obligation between the landlords and King’s remains in discussion and at this time if repairs are need required King’s Medical Practice are paying for this as needed.
  • Leak damage to the training room has been remedied.

·    LMP reports continue to be reviewed as a standard item at business meetings and actions agreed upon

  • IPC strategy is reviewed in IPC team meeting monthly.
  • IPC update and strategy is also discussed as a standing item at all Practice Partner meetings.
  • Audits undertaken are now held on SharePoint.
  • Re usable tourniquets are now in use in phlebotomy clinics following their purchase for all phlebotomists and training undertaken.

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.
  • Immunisation: In response to the measles outbreak all staff were assessed with regards to their immune response to previous vaccination through provision of a blood test for titre levels and MMR vaccination was provided for any member of staff requiring this.  A risk assessment of management of patients with potential measles infection was undertaken and a process for management of patient flow from initial contact put in place and embedded in the Practice triage system MAJIC.  All staff informed via notification system and weekly bulletin a full outline of the plan and requirements from individuals.  
  • The same process was undertaken with regards of patient management for suspected/at risk of Monkey Pox and Pertussis following national guidance. 
  • We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.
  • A review of the provision of recyclable disposable curtains was undertaken and the decision to use disposable curtains in all rooms was made and actioned.
  • Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: regular meetings are in place to review the processes in line with the 2025 Cleaning specifications.  A full review identifying room type, cleaning requirement has been undertaking as per the cleaning specification requirement as per the guidelines.  This is available as a hard copy and online and on the practice SharePoint
  • Posters have been added to all clinical rooms highlighting clinicians’ responsibility in the rooms used that day.
  • Audits are now undertaken on a rolling programme and undertaken by the IPC team and the current cleaning company.    We continue to work with our new cleaning company to ensure that the surgery is kept as clean as possible and within the standards of the National Cleaning Guidelines.
  • All new liquid soap dispensers are wall mounted in clinical.

Training

· All Clinical and non-clinical staff complete Infection Control e-learning training annually.  Face to face update was provided in February 2025 by the IPC team in

· All new staff receive Infection Control training at induction specific to their role at King’s Medical Practice

· All clinical staff assisting with the vaccine programmes have remained up to date with their training requirements with a mix in provision of training through online or face to face training.  

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date from September.  Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff on Practice Hub to enable easier access and review. 

All protocols are reviewed and updated as required annually, and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes.

Patient group directions are now signed electronically and held on Practice Hub.

RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

REVIEW DATE

September 2025

Helen Wright

IPC Lead

Mission Statement 2025-2026

Our Infection Control Mission: our mission – your right

The Infection Control Program supports the King’s Mission and Vision to promote a culture of patient safety by reducing the risk of acquiring and transmitting healthcare associated infections.

The health and safety of our patients, other service providers, volunteers and visitors is very important to us. 

To protect them, our Infection Control Team have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that excellent, best practice policies, protocol, and systems are in place, and that all staff understand their content and are properly trained to follow the rules and guidelines.  

We accomplish our Mission by various methods which include:

  • Infection surveillance
  • Cleaning programme and audit of effectiveness in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the 2025 National Standards of Health Care Cleanliness.
  • Education and awareness campaigns for patients and health care providers.
  • Annual Infection Control training programme for all staff
  • Audit and development programme of aspects of infection control including – handwashing, use of PPE, no touch technique.
  • Commitment to Antibiotic Stewardship
  • Renovation to all patient and clinical area.
  • Promotion of employee wellness and protection through annual flu and Covid 19 vaccination campaigns and response with protection and risk assessment of staff in the event of an outbreak such as measles.
  • Hand hygiene programme which includes education, audit, provision of appropriate hand cleaning products in all areas.
  • Use of disposable equipment where possible

Infection Control and Practice Cleanliness

We endeavour to always keep the surgery clean.  If you have any concerns over cleanliness, please feel free to discuss them with Nicola Hatfield, Practice Manager, or any member of the Practice team.

Infection Prevention & Control Prevention Program

Policy

The primary purpose of the Infection Control and Prevention Program (ICPP) at King’s Medical Practice is to provide a framework for the active and ongoing practice wide efforts to control, prevent, identify, and report communicable diseases.   

The definitive goals of the King’s Medical Practice Infection Prevention and Control Programme are as follows: 

To reduce the risks for transmission of infectious agents among and between patient and staff 

To reduce the risk of infections developing in patients related to the use of devices and procedures required in their care. 

To provide the standards and enforcement required to maintain a sanitary environment. 

To identify microorganisms and communicable disease in a timely fashion. 

To ensure the reporting of results to the appropriate authorities. 

The above goals are achieved through the processes of surveillance, ongoing analysis of data, pro-active prevention, staff education, a formalized infection control risk assessment and quality control.   

This Infection Control Policies define the practical methodology and processes needed to produce the desired results and will set the standards of practice and guidelines for achieving these goals.  

The purpose of the Infection Control Policies and Procedure are as: 

1.      To provide a standard of ‘best practice’ as it pertains to the prevention and control of communicable disease and to serve as a reference source for staff. 

2.      To abide by the mandatory standards set forth by government regulatory and to meet the guidelines and expectations of accrediting/certifying agencies within the industry. 

3.      To serve as a preparedness guideline for responsive action to a communicable disease outbreak on campus or in the community. 

Program Objectives

1.      Establish and operate a practical, proactive system for the prevention, identification, reporting, and evaluation of infections in clinic patients and practice staff. 

2.      Initiate appropriate measures to limit unprotected exposure to pathogens throughout the practice and to prevent further spread from identified sources of contagion. 

3.      Reduce exposure to pathogens for staff, patients, and visitors through an enhanced hand hygiene program. 

4.      Review patient care outcomes as related to the identification, treatment, and control of communicable disease. 

5.      Minimize the risk of transmitting infections associated with the use of procedures, medical equipment, and medical devices. 

6.      Communicate to all King’s Medical Practice staff employees regarding potential infection prevention and control problems and suggest improvements. 

7.      Serve as a resource for all staff. 

8.      In the event of a communicable disease outbreak within the practice or in the community the Infection Control and Prevention Program will serve to support the King’s Medical Practice leadership role as a responsive and collaborating partner along with participating stake holders, and the local authorities in the community. 

Procedure

The Infection Control and Prevention Program: 

1.      Has selected and implemented nationally recognised infection control guidelines and policies.  

2.      Is an integral part of the King’s Medical Practice quality improvement program.  

3.      Is under the direction of a designated and qualified health care professional who has training and current competence in infection control  

4.      The ICPP has established a structured action plan that is implemented to prevent, identify, minimise, and manage infections and communicable diseases through: 

  • Development of policies that support Infection Control Standards within general practice all of which will be subject to regular review and updated as required, in response to new evidence, expert guidance or regulation. 

     
  • Development of policies and training programs that support Infection Control Standards within general practice.  
  • All newly employed and current staff will receive initial IPC training on induction and mandatory training annually. 
  • Training attendance records will be maintained by the Practice Manager and reported through internal governance frameworks. 
  • IPC leads will attend additional, advanced training and attend infection control updates.   
  • GPs will have undertaken the relevant training specific to minor surgery, joint injections, coil fits and implants specific to infection control.  
  • GP’s and nurses will attend local IPC target sessions. 
  • Antibiotic stewardship will be added to the annual training plan. 
  • IPC Champions remain in place for clinical and administration teams.
  • Providing on-going monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance of clinic staff compliance to policies: An annual audit plan is in place for a rolling programme of audit, with clear time scales for completion and progress. 
  • Monthly LAMP reports will be received by the prescribing lead/antibiotic steward. A bimonthly practice review and analysis of the audits will be undertaken as part of the business meeting and an action plan implemented. 
  • A summary of annual audits will be included in the annual statement. 
  • Immediate implementation of corrective and preventive measures that result in improvements:
  • A live IPC strategy is in place.
  • Regular King’s IPC team meetings are scheduled monthly and attended by the IPC lead partner, Operations manager, Practice manager and IPC champion.