Infection Control Annual Statement

Statement 2024/2025

Purpose

The annual statement will be generated each year. It will summarise:

• Any learning connected to cases of C. difficile infection and Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infections  and action undertaken;
• The annual infection control audit summary and actions undertaken;
• Infection Control risk assessments and actions undertaken;
• Details of staff training (both as part of induction and annual training) with regards to infection prevention & control;
• Details of infection control advice to patients;
• Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
   

Background

Alchester Medical Group, Lead for Infection Prevention /Control is Samantha Fincham, Nurse Manager, who is supported by Joanne Jackson, Nurse Manager.

This team keeps updated with infection prevention and control practices and share necessary information with staff and patients throughout the year.

Significant events

Detailed post-infection reviews are carried out across the whole health economy for cases of C. difficile infection and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections. This includes reviewing the care given by the GP and other primary care colleagues. Any learning is identified and fed back to the surgery for actioning.

This year the surgery has been involved in 3 C. difficile case reviews and 1 MRSA blood stream infection reviews. Feedback has included:

Audits

Detail what audits were undertaken and by whom and any key changes to practice implemented as a result.

Infection Prevention Control and Efficacy - 19th February 2026

• Auditor: Sam Fincham
• Key Changes: Planning in progress for identified areas to be addressed.

Hand Hygiene - 4th March 2026

• Auditor: S. Fincham and J. Jackson

ANTT - 4th March 2026

• Auditor: Sam Fincham

National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness Technical  - 1st January 2026

• Auditor: S. Fincham
• Key Changes: Planning in progress to upgrade areas not meeting required standards.

Infection control risk assessments

Regular Infection Control risk assessments are undertaken to minimise the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The following Infection Control risk assessments have been completed in the past year and appropriate actions have been taken:

• Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
• Disposal of waste
• Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and occupational infections
• Minor surgery
• Sharps injury
• Use of personal protective clothing/equipment
• Risk of body fluid spills
• Legionella risk assessment
• Buildings and facilities that do not meet IPC best practice

Cold Chain event:

3rd January 2025 - Fridge Failure due to power supply being lost due to local road /traffic works. Power was off for at least 2 hours. All vaccines ringfenced and identified and  local policy followed to dispose of the vaccines. Fridge checked that was in full working order before re stocking.

Staff training

• No. 6 new staff joined this Medical Centre/Surgery in the past 12-months and received infection control, hand-washing, and donning and doffing training within 1-months of employment.
• 68% of the practice patient-facing staff (clinical and reception staff) completed their annual infection prevention and control update training (specific whether this was in a formal training session or online).
• 93% of the practice non-patient-facing staff completed their 3-yearly/annual infection prevention and control update training.
• The IPC nurse/practitioner attended training updates for their role. Training is provided by the BOB ICB Webinars.

Infection control advice to patients

Patients are encouraged to use the alcohol hand gel/sanitiser dispensers that are available throughout the Medical Centre/Surgery. Additional IPC measures on hands, face, space have been implemented due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There are TV screen information messages available in the Surgery - regarding:

• MRSA
• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Chickenpox and shingles
• Norovirus
• The importance of immunisations (e.g. in childhood and preparation for overseas travel)

Policies, procedures, and guidelines

Documents related to infection prevention and control are available to all and reviewed in line with national and local guidance changes and are updated 2-yearly (or sooner in the event on new guidance).

Further infection control links

• The Department of Health Health and Social Care Act 2008: Infection Prevention and Control guidance
• NICE Infection Prevention and Control
• Infection Prevention and Control - Posters and Patient Information