IPC Statement

The Calverton Practice IPC Annual Statement

It is a requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the
prevention and control of infections and related guidance that the Infection
Prevention and Control Lead produces and annual statement with regard to
Compliance with good practice on infection prevention and control.

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 any staff training.
• Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Infection Control Lead
The practice’s clinical lead for infection control is Mrs Clare Sampey Senior Nurse
The infection control lead has the following duties and responsibilities within the practice:
• Keep up to date with changes in Infection Control
• Check PPE
• Checking the Surgery for Cleanliness

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
Practice Meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

As a result of these events, The Royal Docks Medical Practice has:
• Continued with bi-annual infection control updates for both clinical and non-clinical
staff.
• Ensure infection control guidance remains accessible to all staff.
• Training is logged on Blue stream / Clarity and in Personnel Files.
In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control.

Infection Prevention Audits and Actions
The practice carries out an Infection Prevention and Control audit every 6 months; the last
audit was completed in 19th June 2024. This involves a comprehensive review of all aspects
of infection prevention and control within the surgery.

As a result of this audit, the following changes are planned:
• Example: Deep clean of the practice

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 Assessments: The practice reviews its water safety risk
assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients,
visitors, or staff.
• Cleaning specifications, frequencies, and cleanliness: We work with our cleaners to
ensure that the surgery is kept as clean as possible. Monthly assessments of
cleaning processes are conducted with our cleaning contractors to identify areas for
improvement.
• Immunisation: As a practice we ensure that all 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 via in house pharmacy
and via home visits to our patient population.
• Curtains: Disposable curtains are used in clinical rooms and are changed every 6
months. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed more frequently if
damaged or soiled.
• 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 mitigated this by: removing plugs; covering overflows and reminding staff to
turn off taps that are not ‘hands free’ with paper towels to keep patients safe.
• Audits: infection control, Handwashing, Medical fridge, Sharps bin etc.

Training
All our staff receives bi-annual training in infection prevention and control via online learning on Blue stream/Clarity Hand Hygiene training and audit is carried out annually by our Lead Nurse for training and
education.

Policies
All Infection Prevention Control related policies are in date.
Policies relating to Infection Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated
bi-annually or as appropriate, and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice,
guidance and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are available on Team Net for
all staff to read.

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

Review Date
18th December 2024
Responsibility for Review
The Infection Prevention and Control Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the
Annual Statement.