Infection Control Annual Statement 2023-2024

Woodcote Medical 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 GP and Nursing team follow procedures to ensure that treatment of our patients and clinical equipment used meet infection control guidance.

Purpose of this statement

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 lead for infection prevention and control at Woodcote Medical Practice is Dr Peter Nelson, who is supported by Justina Nriagu, Practice Nurse.

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 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 that related to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

Audits

Regular audits are carried out and a rolling refurbishment programme is in operation to ensure compliance with all standards. Our more recent Infection control audit was performed in July 2023 by Justina Nriagu. There were no key areas of concern noted.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised to be as low as 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:

• Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training
• COSHH
• Staff vaccinations
• Water safety
• Fire safety

Staff Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Woodcote Medical Practice all staff and contractors receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually.

Policies and Procedures

The infection prevention and control related policies and procedures that have been written, updated, or reviewed in the last year. 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 Woodcote Medical Practice to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.

Review

The IPC lead and Deborah Roberts, Business Manager, are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement. This annual statement will be updated on or before 31st October 2024.