Infection Control Annual Statement

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in January 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
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention And Control (IPC) Lead

Addington Medical Practice has one Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Laura Urch - Practice Nurse

The IPC Lead is supported by: Bernadette Ingram – Health care Assistant

Laura Urch has attended an IPC Lead training course in 2023 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice. Last update was Nov 2025

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 staff meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

In the past year there have been no significant events relating to infection control.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by William Pillow from Infection prevention solutions on 27/11/2025. We were awarded a compliance score of 86% at the Parkway site and 92% at Gravel Hill.

As a result of the audit, the following issues have been highlighted.

• All clinical room work surfaces joints and seems need to be sealed. Gravel Hill site not compliant in all rooms. Will be rectified this year.
• SOP to be formulated to provide staff with guidance on the use, decontamination and maintenance of portable fans.
• A protocol will be written identifying our procedure for when infectious patients are in the practice and isolation may be required
• Our environmental cleaning schedules will be made more robust and expanded.
• All liquid soap dispensers will be changed to cartridge refills at the Gravel Hill site
• Further training on correct sharps management will be provided to all clinical staff

An audit on hand washing amongst all staff was undertaken in 2025. This was discussed at the staff meeting. It was identified that not all clinical staff are bare below elbows and stoned rings need to be removed.

A sharps audit identified that some staff are placing incorrect items such as plastic lids and cotton wool into their bins. Further training will be provided in clinical meetings.

Addington Medical Practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2026

• Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
• Sharps disposal audit
• 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 in relation to infection control:

1. Sharps bins - in line with government health and safety changes. Sharps bin no longer need to ne disposed of after 90 days. Now only when at the fill line or visibly dirty.
2. Curtains - The NHS Cleaning Specifications state that disposable curtains should be replaced every 6 months. To this effect we have met with our cleaning providers and it has been agreed they will take responsibility for a mass change of curtains every 6 months. The date this occurs will be clearly marked as well as next date of change.

Training

• All our clinical staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control. Non clinical staff update every 3 years.
• All clinical and non -clinical staff have completed e-learning training through practice index.

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 via practice index and also through the infection control manual. They 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

January 2027

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

Laura Urch Practice Nurse For and on behalf of Addington Medical Practice.