Infection Prevention Control Statement

Purpose of the annual statement

The Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infection and related guidance requires the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead to produce an annual statement. This statement should be made available for anyone who wishes to see it, including patients and regulatory authorities, and should also be published on the General Practice website. The Annual statement and related forward programme/quality improvement plan should be reviewed and signed off by the relevant General Practice governance group.

Introduction

This Annual statement has been drawn up on 19/03/2026 in accordance with the requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of practice on the Prevention and control of infections and related guidance for Seaton Park Medical Group. It summarises:

1. Infection transmission incidents and actions taken 
2. IPC audits undertaken and subsequent actions implemented 
3. Risk assessments undertaken and any actions taken for the prevention and control of infection 
4. Staff training 
5. Review and update of IPC policies, procedures, and guidelines
6. Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship

This statement has been drawn up by:

Julie Corr - Infection Prevent and Control (IPC) Lead 

1. Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

Provide details of infection transmission incidents (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events), how they were investigated, any lessons learnt, and changes made as a result to facilitate future improvements. 

The practice has developed an IPC issue log. Any IPC issues reported by staff are added to this list and dealt with accordingly. This means we can see any recurring issues/patterns and implement ways to improve. Our audit results also identify infection control risks.

Three main areas have been identified this year.

1. Recording of room/equipment cleaning.

The audit showed that clinical staff were not evidencing that they had cleaned their equipment/room in room 14 and 17 line with our practice policy. This was discussed and notification reminders have been sent. Clinical staff are implementing the necessary cleaning, but the importance of documenting this has been reiterated.  

2. IPC audits and actions 

Provide an overview of IPC audit programme as well as examples of good practice and actions taken to address suboptimal compliance.

Audits are regularly completed in the following areas: 

• Fridge stock and fridge cleaning completed on a monthly basis. No issues have been identified.

General IPC checklist completed on a 3-monthly basis. Issues have been addressed such as:

• Cleaning cupboard audit completed on a 3 monthly basis. To address suboptimal compliance, we have arranged meetings with our cleaning company to improve within this area. 
• Hand hygiene audit completed on a monthly basis for clinical staff. To address suboptimal compliance, we have implemented handwashing/hand gel posters and 5 moments of hand hygiene posters in every clinical room and toilets within the practice. Hand hygiene is discussed in MDT meetings on a regular basis.
• Uniform audit on an annual basis for clinical staff. Clinical uniforms provided by the practice. No issues have been identified.

Results from audits are discussed in our weekly MDT meetings and other staff meetings.

Any changes implemented are reviewed on the following audit cycle.

3. Risk assessments 

Provide details of IPC related risk assessments carried out and actions taken to prevent and control infection.

Risk assessments are conducted to minimise infection prevention and control risks. It ensures a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Risk assessments conducted in the last year

1. COSHH – by NHSPS
2. Functional risk categories of rooms – by NHSPS
3. Immunisation status of new clinical staff – by PM

4. Staff training 

Provide details of IPC induction training, annual updates, and any other IPC-related training.

All staff are IPC trained as they have completed the mandatory E-learning for Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control module online.  Clinical staff have taken part in sharps management and disposal education. Staff also have weekly reminders in MDT regarding IPC, including cleaning rooms, equipment, uniform adherence, waste disposal, and hand washing. Audits have been completed, which require observing staff in practice and giving feedback relating to infection prevention control principles. This is a learning opportunity for improvement to IPC management for all clinical staff.

Resources

Sharps disposal colour chart in place; hand washing technique posters, appropriate use of PPE poster 

5. IPC policies, procedures and guidance

Provide details of all policy reviews and updates, together with details of how changes have been implemented.

GMG policies: All reviewed and updated through 2025 to 2026. Policies to be reviewed and updated annually to follow National infection prevention and control manual for England guidelines.

• Accidental contamination and needlestick injury policy
• Isolation Policy 
• Personal Protective equipment (PPE) Policy 
• Sharps Policy 
• Waste Disposal Policy 

Clinical staff refer directly to UK Health Security Agency and UKHSA health protection team with a notifiable infectious disease concern and follow local and national guidance. 

• Policy and Annual update due: 19th March 2027
• Next annual statement due: 19th March 2027