Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead

The lead for infection prevention and control at The Village Surgery is Leanne Pym, Practice Nurse. 

The IPC lead is supported by Sarah Cox, 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 in 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 which 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 at several meetings each month. 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 which relate to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control. 

1. Infection prevention audit and actions

Audit completed: 12.10.2021 – main point of concern was the high-level cleaning points. Cleaning company notified and the issue has now been addressed.

Audit completed: 24.5.2023 – modesty curtains, whilst being changed regularly, these were not compliant in being labelled correctly. This has been raised with the Lead Nurse and the matter is being addressed.

1. Risk assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as is reasonably practicable.

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

• Staff immunisations

It was noted this information has not been updated in the personnel records. This has now been addressed.

1. Training

All staff receive refresher training annually.

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. 

1. Responsibility

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

1. Review

The IPC lead and Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.

This annual statement will be updated on or before 30.6.2024.