Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year 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. The report will be published on the practice website and will include the following summary:

• 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 the prevention and control of infection
• Details of staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Abbey Medical Practice continues to comply with guidance issued by NHS England to ensure we maintain the safety of our patients and staff. We are continuously working with our cleaning supplier to ensure additional cleaning is undertaken, deep cleans as and when required along with extra lunchtime “touch points” cleaning.

Our clinical staff adhere to wearing Personal Protective Equipment which is changed between patients and we continue to wear masks when engaging with our patients and colleagues.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead

The lead for infection prevention and control at Abbey Medical Practice is Dr Rajat Srivastava, GP Partner

Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events.

Events are discussed at our educational or team meetings to allow all staff to be appraised of areas of best practice and identify any training opportunities. 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 9 significant events raised that related to infection control. There have been no complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control. The outcome of the significant events was that we do have processes in place but at times these were not being adhered to. We have discussed this with the team and are more vigilant.

Risk assessments and audits

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 we can audit our processes as appropriate.

In the last year, the following risk assessments/audits were carried out/reviewed:

• General IPC risks
• Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training
• Cleaning standards – both our 3^rd Party Service Provider and a member of our Patient Action Group
• Curtain cleaning or changes
• Staff vaccinations
• Sharps
• Water safety
• IPC consultation/ treatment area room audits
• IPC utility areas audit
• IPC baby changing room and patient and staff toilets audit

Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Abbey Medical Practice all staff receive IPC induction training on commencing their post and annually thereafter. All staff also receive regular refresher training such as handwashing techniques.

Policies and procedures

The infection prevention and control related policies and procedures that have been written, updated or reviewed in the last year to include any updates on current advice, guidance and legislation changes. This includes updates on COVID19 issued by NHS or Public Health.

Responsibility

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

Review

The IPC lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.

This annual statement will be updated on or before 15^th Feb 2024