Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead

The lead for infection prevention and control at Forest Health Group is Natasha Allen nurse manager. 

The IPC lead is supported by the Practice Manager. 

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) form 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 3 significant events raised that are related to infection control. There have also been 1 complaint made regarding cleanliness or infection control. 

b. Infection prevention audit and actions 

Recent merger with Gainsborough practice, ensuring policies and protocols are updated {UNDER REVIEW} mock CCQ visit on 08.03.23 with a full inspection in October 2023

List all internal audits that have been conducted within the previous year. Discuss the implementation of any audit requirements or shortcomings and how staff are involved to promote high standards of IPC.

• Full IPC annual audits completed May each year for each site.
• Environment cleanliness audit completed 3 monthly for all sites.
• Waste acceptance audit
• Sharps audit
• Hand hygiene
• Aseptic technique
• Vaccine storage
• COSSH audit
• Decontamination audit
• Legionella/water temperature

c. Risk assessments 

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk 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: 

• Staff vaccination history
• Decontamination
• COSHH
• Covid
• Water temperature/legionella
• Curtain changes
• Cleaning standards
• Sharps
• SEA

d. Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Forest Health 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 at the following times: 

• New staff on induction are to complete IPC training on blue stream e-learning with a 3-yearly update.
• Staff found to have outstanding IPC eLearning have been individually emailed and advised to complete this training as soon possible. c
• To be reviewed in 2 weeks.
• Any staff found not to have completed their training to be discussed at senior management meeting.

e. Policies and procedures

The infection prevention and control related policies and procedures that have been written, updated, or reviewed in the last year include, but are not limited, to: 

• IPC policy reviewed and updated 01/03/23
• Isolation Policy reviewed and updated 01/03/23
• Venapucture policy reviewed and updated 06/02/23
• Cold chain policy reviewed and updated 22/02/23
• Decontamination policy for minor surgery reviewed and updated 22/02/23

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

f. Responsibility

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

g. Review

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

This annual statement will be updated on or before May 2023.

Signed by 

Natasha Allen Nurse Manager

For and on behalf of Forest Health