Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in July 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

St Mary’s Surgery has 1 Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Elisa Owen, Lead Practice Nurse.

The IPC Lead is supported by: Emma Horne Operations Manager

Elisa has attended an IPC Lead training course in June 2023 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice.

Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events)

Significant events (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. All significant events are reviewed in the monthly partner meetings or as and when there is a new significant event and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Elisa Owen and Emma Horne in.

As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed at St Mary’s Surgery:

• Thermometer bag to transport vaccinations has been purchased and now being used appropriately.

An audit on Minor Surgery was undertaken by Dr Katherine Mercer in August 2022

No infections were reported for patients who had had minor surgery at the Surgery.

An audit on hand washing was undertaken in 2022. This was discussed at the staff meeting.

The St May’s Surgery plan to undertake the following audits in 2023.

• Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
• Minor Surgery outcomes audit
• Domestic Cleaning audit (completed by the contractor monthly)
• Hand hygiene audit

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: As a practice we ensure that all of our staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal Flu). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.

Other examples:

Curtains: The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be cleaned or if using disposable curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect our curtains are steam cleaned every 6 months which is certified. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are never handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled. The window blinds are very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build-up of dust.

Toys: We have no toys in the practice.

Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. Some of our sinks do not meet the latest standards for sinks but we have removed plugs, covered overflows and reminded staff to turn of taps that are not ‘hands free’ with paper towels to keep patients safe. We have also replaced our liquid soap with wall mounted soap dispensers to ensure cleanliness.

Training

All our staff receive training in infection prevention and control via e-learning.

All clinical staff receive annual training in infection prevention control.

Dr Katherine Mercer has undertaken specialist training in minor surgery. Lead practice nurse Elisa Owen has undertaken infection prevention and control training. 

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings on an annual basis.

Responsibility

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

Review date

July 2024

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the  are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

Emma Horne

Operations Manager and on behalf of St Mary’s Surgery.