Infection Control Annual Statement
Appletree Medical Practice Infection Control Annual Statement 2025
This annual statement will be generated each year in August in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. It summarises:
- 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
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead
Appletree Medical Practice has one Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Amy Armiger Advanced Clinical Practitioner, who is supported by others in the nursing team, and GP partners.
Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events)
Significant events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed in the monthly staff meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.
In the past year, there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control.
Infection Prevention Audit and Actions
The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Millie Dolman in November 2024.
As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed:
- Discussion with cleaners
- Housekeeping changes made re bins, laminating posters where required
- Cracks and damp reported for action with maintenance
An audit on hand washing is due to be completed in August 2025 by Jessica Holmes.
Appletree Medical Practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2025.
- Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
- Clinical waste
- Monthly fridge audits
- Pathology collection audit
- Monthly legionella audits
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are carried out annually.
Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors, or staff.
Immunisation: 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 (i.e., MMR, Seasonal Flu and Covid vaccinations). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.
Curtains: The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be cleaned or if using disposable curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect we use disposable curtains and ensure they are changed every 6 months. The window blinds are very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build-up of dust. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are never handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled.
Cleaning specifications, frequencies, and cleanliness
We also have a cleaning specification and frequency policy which our cleaners and staff work to. An assessment of cleanliness is conducted by the cleaning team and logged. This includes all aspects in the surgery including cleanliness of equipment
- Cleanliness reported in the IPC audit and action plan given to the cleaners accordingly
- Regular meeting with Astrum contract manager
- Equipment cleaning logs such as ECG are to be filed with Kelly Meredith when completed.
- Room cleaning logs are also filed monthly on team net
- Kelly Meredith meeting cleaners and keeping copy of concerns/actions raised.
Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use.
Training
- All our staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control.
- All clinical and non-clinical staff are required to complete appropriate e-learning training.
- IPC lead/team attend IPC Lead Practice Nurse forums organised by ICB
Policies
All Infection Prevention and control-related policies are up-to-date for this year.
Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are distributed to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance, and legislation changes.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of everyone to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
Review date.
August 2026
Responsibility for Review
The Infection Prevention and Control Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement for and on behalf of the Appletree Medical Practice.