Infection Prevention and Control

Posted by: Nicola Synnott - Posted on:

Annual Statement 2026-2027

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 AND 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

IPC Champion – Jo Douglas

Helen Wright and Faieza Haq will attend the annual update for IPC leads in November 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 ANNUAL INSPECTION

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by the local IPC team in July 2026 with Helen Wright, Nichola Hatfield, Michale Land and Faieza Haq.

A, excellent RAG rating of DARK GREEN was achieved. 

The action plan resulting from the audit had only 2 actions to undertake:

  1. Deep clean/replacement of reception/corridor carpet.
  2. Replacement of ceiling tile in the corridor.

Both are already planned to be undertaken.

The next audit and inspection will provided by the IPC local team to be undertaken in 2027.

Additional actions:

·    LMP reports have now ceased in production. Our own practice audit protocol will remain in action to monitor our own antibiotic prescribing and ensure stewardship.

  • IPC strategy continues to be reviewed at IPC team meeting monthly.
  • IPC update and strategy remain a standing item at all Practice Partner meetings and at the 6 monthly full practice meeting.
  • Additional governance to ensure compliance has been embedded within Practice Index Hub through the scheduling of alerts when checks/audits are due with relation to areas related to IPC and Health and Safety.

AUDIT

The following IPC related audits have been undertaken.  The reports are held on Sharepoint and each audit is discussed within the scheduled audit education sessions. 

  • Hand hygiene
  • Long term macrolode use
  • Azithromycin use in COPD
  • Antibiotic prescribing for UTI’s in over 65 year old females

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.
  • Hanta Virus: A risk assessment of management of patients at risk of Hanta Virus exposure 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 were informed via notification system and in via the weekly bulletin with a full outline of the plan and requirements from individuals.  Posters were also produced and put up in reception, treatment rooms, and the isolation room. 

IMMUNISATIONS

  • We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.
  • We remain committed to a rolling RSV, shingles and pneumococcal vaccination programme.
  • A HPV and MMR catch up vaccination programmes are currently running
  • A manufacturing issue with relation to our influenza vaccine supplier caused a delay in the start of our 2026/2027 programme.  Our contingency plan was activated, and we secured the contingency supply with in the same 24 hours.  All patients were updated and appointments re booked.
  • Seasonal covid and influenza clinics are now operational. 
  • We were accepted to undertake childhood immunisation pilot to explore ways to increase out childhood immunisation uptake.  This was successful and an outcome was to send appointment letters and appointments out in the patients 1st language.  QOF was fully achieved with relation to immunisations, and we achieved the highest QOF rating in Wakefield.

TRAINING

Clinical and non-clinical staff completed annual Infection Control e-learning training.  This includes:

  • IPC e learning update – all staff
  • Face to face IPC update provided by Helen Wright June 2026.
  • Sepsis Update – clinical staff
  • Antibiotic stewardship for clinical. 
  • All NMP updated their antibiotic stewardship pledges.
  • Immunisations and vaccinations

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

IPC has been added to the trainee GP education tutorial timetable.

FIT test training was undertaken by Helen Wright, Michael Land and Faieza Haq to enable the  provision of PPE requirements for staff.  A record of staff members FIT tested is available in the management office.  The use of FFP3 masks is embedded in the appropriate management pathways.

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.

Mission Statement 2026-2027

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 and 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 staff will receive annual IPC update training.  Clinical staff will continue to undertake annual sepsis and antibiotic stewardship training.
  • All newly employed and current staff will receive initial IPC training on induction and mandatory training annually. 
  • GP trainees will have IPC as part of their tutorial education plan
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Review and analysis of the audits will be undertaken as part of the audit and educational plan and an action plan implemented. 
  • A summary of IPC related 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.