We will:
- Treat patients in a clean and safe environment and minimise exposure to healthcare associated infections
- Provide a well maintained, clean and safe environment, using the most appropriate and up to date cleaning methods and frequencies
- Maintain fixtures and fittings to an acceptable condition to enable effective and safe cleaning to take place regularly
- Allocate specific roles and responsibilities for cleaning, linked to infection prevention and control, that are underpinned by strong, clear leadership that encourages a culture where cleanliness matters
- Have clinical leads who will establish and promote a cleanliness culture across their organisation
- Constantly review cleanliness and improve performance
- Take account of your views about the quality and standards of cleanliness by involving patients and visitors in reporting and monitoring how well we are doing
- Provide the public with clear information on any measures which they can take, to assist in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections
- Provide structured and pro-active education and training to ensure all our staff are competent in delivering infection prevention and control practices within the remit of their role
- Design any new facilities with ease of cleaning in mind
We ask patients, visitors and the public to:
- Follow good hygiene practices which are displayed in and around the practice
- Tell us if you require any further information about cleanliness or prevention of infection
- Work with us to monitor and improve standards of cleanliness and prevention of infection
Jubilee Street Practice aims to keep the surgery clean and tidy in order to offer a safe environment for all staff, patients and visitors. If you have any concerns about cleanliness or infection control, please report these to our reception staff. Our clinical team follow procedures to ensure that treatment of our patients and clinical equipment used meet infection control guidance.
Purpose of this statement
It is a requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance that the Infection Prevention and Control Lead (IPC Lead) produces an annual statement with regard to compliance with good practice on infection prevention and control.
The annual statement will summarise:
- 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
Background
The IPC Lead at Jubilee Street Practice is Dr Emma Ovink, who is supported by the Infection Control Circle, which comprises Lyn Owens, Amin Nafnaf, Fatima Yousuf and Ayesha Khatun.
Significant Events
Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as learning events. Events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised of areas of best practice. The staff member who identifies a significant event will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) form that commences an investigation process to establish what can be learned and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed and discussed, and any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff. An action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.
In the past year there was 1 significant event that related to infection control, this was a needlestick injury with no complications. There have been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.
Audits
Regular audits are carried out to ensure compliance with all standards.
Our most recent Annual Infection Control Audit was performed in January 2024. The main issues identified were that some consulting rooms and toilets did not have up to date hand-washing posters, and some consulting rooms had chairs that are not wipe-clean, also some hand sanitiser dispensers were found to be empty. We have arranged for these issues to be addressed.
We work with our cleaners to ensure that the surgery is kept as clean as possible. Monthly assessments of cleaning processes are conducted with our cleaning contractors to identify areas for improvement.
Modesty curtains in all consulting rooms are changed 6 monthly or earlier as necessary.
Staff Training
In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Jubilee Street Practice all staff and receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training every 3 years, and infection control updates are given at the monthly whole practice meeting. All staff are aware of the importance of infection control and encouraged to report any issues to the IPC Lead or a member of the Infection Control Circle in her absence.
Risk Assessments
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 (eg MMR, Seasonal Flu and Covid vaccination).
Policies and Procedures
The practice Infection Prevention and Control Policy has been reviewed in the last year and was last updated in January 2024. 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 Jubilee Street Practice to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.