Purpose 

This annual statement will be generated each year in 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

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

The lead for infection prevention and control at Narberth Surgery are Mrs Ruth Edwards – Senior Practice Nurse and Mrs Hazel Hughes – Senior Healthcare Assistant.

The IPC Lead is supported by Kirsty Gilling, Practice Manager.

1. 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 in designated meetings. 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 0 significant events raised that related to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

1. Infection prevention audit and actions

The practice conducts a complete IPC audit no less than annually.  This covers cleaning, preventative measures, equipment, staff training logs, risk assessments and all associated policies.

There have been no external inspections or concerns flagged.

There has been a specific audit completed in line with the enhanced requirements for control and prevention of coronavirus in the workplace.  There are also specially developed pandemic management policies.

1. Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised to be as low as reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment, which can identify best practice, can be established, and then followed.

The practice conducts a wide-reaching annual infection prevention and control risk assessment, which covers areas such as –

• General IPC risks

• Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training

• COSHH

• Cleaning standards

• Curtain cleaning or changes

• Staff vaccinations

• Sharps

• Water safety

• Assistance dogs

1. Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Narberth Surgery all staff and receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually and this includes an assessment to check their knowledge.

This training is via NHS Wales eLearning.

1. Policies and procedures

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.

Responsibility

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