Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in August 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 Policy.
- Details of any infection control audits undertaken and actions undertaken
- Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
- Details of staff training
- Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead
Brewood Medical Practice has a Lead clinician for Infection Prevention and Control: Sharon Hollister, Lead Practice Nurse.
For the period from June 2024 to February 2025, Fiona Lunn was the identified Lead clinician for Infection Prevention Control and attended the IPC Training course in September 2024.
The IPC Lead is supported by: Practice Nurse Michele Davies and Dr Ahmed
Sharon Hollister keeps updated on infection prevention practice by attending quarterly IPC Lead forums. As Sharon is new in post she will be enrolled on the next available IPC Lead training.
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 clinical meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.
In the past year there has been 0 significant events related to infection control.
Infection Prevention Audit and Actions
- A waste audit was carried out by Sharon Hollister for Brewood Medical Practice and Wheaton Aston audit was completed by Fiona Lunn.
This included ensuring all waste is correctly segregated in all consultation rooms, including domestic, clinical and sharps waste. The results of this audit were disseminated to all clinicians at a clinical meeting, and all clinicians were reminded of the importance of this.
All waste bins have been labelled clearly to ensure correct waste segregation.
The waste management policy is currently under review.
- A spot check carried out by Sharon Hollister on the 27th February 2025 highlighted various cleanliness issues. This was discussed with the cleaning company Pro FM and actions taken. There have now been significant changes to the cleaning schedule and improvements noted. A full environmental audit will be completed in the next year.
- A hand hygiene audit was last completed in July 2025 and no issues identified.
- The Management of sharps injuries policy has been updated for 2025 and is readily available to all staff.
Planned Audits for 2025/2026 are as follows
- Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
- Hand hygiene audit
- Cold chain audit
- An audit of minor surgery environment.
- Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness programme to be reviewed with cleaning team and staff.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed.
In the last year, the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:
- Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment on the 10th January 2024 this is to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff. The practice completes regular legionella flushing.
- 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 in house and via home visits to our patient population.
- Curtains: As per The National Standards of Healthcare cleanliness, the surgery uses disposable curtains in the clinic rooms. Each clinic room has been risk assessed using a functional risk assessment. The window blinds are very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build-up of dust. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are never handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled.
- Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. We have also replaced our liquid soap with wall mounted soap dispensers to ensure cleanliness.
- The surgery is also in the process of installing apron/glove dispensers in the nurse treatment rooms.
In the next year, the following risk assessment will also be reviewed:
- Staff vaccinations
Training
All our staff receive yearly training in infection prevention and control.
All clinical staff including GPs will undertake a face -to -face hand hygiene update in 2025/2026. They are also expected individually to complete annual e-learning, which includes an assessment.
All new members of staff will have IPC and hand hygiene training on commencement of employment.
The infection control lead attends Quartey practice nurse forum sessions relating to infection control.
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 and are reviewed and updated every 2 years, 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
August 2026
Responsibility for Review
The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.
Sharon Hollister Lead Practice Nurse
For and on behalf of Brewood Medical Practice