This practice is committed to the control of infection within the building and in relation to the clinical procedures carried out within it. This statement has been produced in line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and details the practice’s compliance with guidelines on infection control and cleanliness between the dates of 01/04/2022 and 31/03/2023.

IPC lead for the practice is Janet Philips

IPC deputy is Victoria Dawson (Practice Manager).

Antibiotic and Sepsis lead: To be determined

From 2024, this annual statement will be generated in April each year and will summarise:

• Any infection transmission incidents and actions taken
• Details of IPC audits/risk assessments undertaken and actions taken
• Details of staff training
• Details of IPC advice to patients
• Any review/update of IPC policies and procedures

Datix Incidents

There has been one incident regarding infection prevention and control. This was related to staff member catching covid-19 after government removal of mask mandate.

Staff Training

All staff have been allocated annual IPC training in 2023, with an 85% completion rate

IPC issues/updates are discussed regularly throughout the year in clinical/practice meetings.

Staff are encouraged to raise any IPC concerns with any of the managers or IPC lead.

Audits

External audit carried out in July 2022, audit report available upon request.

Hand Hygiene Audits

Hand Hygiene audits have not been completed to do the ownership of staff self-auditing, however this is being reviewed as to how this can be overcome. Staff are aware of the importance of hand hygiene in reducing healthcare associated infections.

Waste and Sharps Audits

Waste and Sharps Audits is being determined by Estates Energy & Waste Officer at West Suffolk Foundation Trust

Cleaning Audits

Weekly self-management cleaning audit on all office and clinical spaces

This to be reviewed once a new cleaning company (Vertas) starts (start date not confirmed)

Cold Chain Review

• Cold Chain Policy in place
• More staff were aware how to order, receive and care for vaccines
• Vaccines close-to-expiry stock are clearly labelled and vaccines continues to be rotated in date order.
• Two new fridges obtained via a trial project to improve storage of vaccines due to capacity being too low in flu time
• Fridges have internal temperature readings inside the fridges and information downloaded weekly.
• A medical grade Cold Box is available in the practice in case emergency transfer of vaccinations is required.
• Fridge temperatures continues to be checked once a day
• Audit of cold chain methods to be determined

Practice Annual IPC Audit

The last Annual IPC Audit was completed in July 2022. Whilst this is an annual Audit, action points arising from this audit are reviewed with governance manager and community matron.

The following improvements were undertaken and are now in place further to these audits:

• The practice is to start publishing Annual IPC Statement in their website.
• Cleaning schedule updated
• Flushing of taps introduced as required when request by WSFT
• Resus trolley replaced to better standard
• New building work including the required Healthcare cleanliness standards

Covid-19 Response

The following actions have been implemented in response to Covid-19 to keep our staff and patients safe:

Staff who work with patients wear masks, and maintain good hand hygiene. Patients are requested to complete a covid test before coming to the surgery if they have covid-like symptoms

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are performed on a required basis. We have done the Covid 19 risk assessments and Display screen assessment for most staff members. Health and safety risk assessment is done on annual basis and COSHH risk assessment carried out within the last 12 months. Legionella and Fire safety management are maintained by the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

IPC Policy

The IPC Policy has been updated and awaiting staff changes if required.