Introduction

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 prevention and control of infection

• Details of staff training

• Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

The lead for Infection Prevention and Control is Victoria Thomas, Director.  

The IPC Lead is supported by: Dr Mike Thomas, Director and Clinical Lead.

Both Victoria Thomas and Dr. Mike Thomas have completed an IPC training course and keep updated on infection prevention practice.

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 practice carries out an Infection Prevention and Control audit every 3 months. The last audit was completed by Victoria Thomas and Dr. Mike Thomas on 24 June 2024. Each audit involve a comprehensive review of all aspects of infection prevention and control within the practice.
As a result of the audit, no actions were required.  

The Maxwell Practice implements the following audits:

• Annual Hand hygiene audit

• Quarterly Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit

• Monthly Cleaning audit

• Weekly Waste limit check

• Weekly Sharps box fill check

• Daily cleaning checks

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out / reviewed:

• Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment to review our water safety and ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors, or staff.

• Disposal of Clinical Waste to ensure this is handled correctly and risks minimised.

• Infection Prevention & Control to ensure we have measures in place to reduce the risk from the environment, contact, airborne and blood-borne infections

Training

• All our staff have received training in infection prevention and control.

• Our Legionella lead has completed training in Legionella Awareness.

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year.
Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated regularly and amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings on an annual basis.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of everyone to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead, Victoria Thomas, is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement for and on behalf of The Maxwell Practice.

Next review is due August 2025.