Infection Control Annual Statement 
(June 2021 – May 2022)
1.	PURPOSE

In line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of practice on prevention and control of infection (July 2015) and its related guidance, this Annual Statement will be generated each year.  It will summarise:

•	Any infection transmission incidents and any lessons learnt and action taken
•	Details of any infection prevention and control (IPC) audits undertaken and any subsequent actions taken arising from these audits
•	Details of any issues that may challenge infection prevention and control including risk assessment undertaken and subsequent actions implemented as a result 
•	Details of staff IPC training 
•	Details of review and update of IPC policies, procedures and guidance
•	To highlight priorities for the upcoming year.

2.	INFECTION CONTROL LEAD

The Infection Control Lead will enable the integration of Infection Control principles into standards of care within the practice, by acting as a link between the surgery and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Infection Control Team. They will be the first point of contact for practice staff in respect of Infection Control issues. They will help create and maintain an environment which will ensure the safety of the patient / client, carers, visitors and health care workers in relation to Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI). 

The Infection Control Lead will carry out the following within the practice:
•	Increase awareness of Infection Control issues amongst staff and clients 
•	Help motivate colleagues to improve practice
•	Improve local implementation of Infection Control policies 
•	Ensure that practice based Infection Control audits are undertaken
•	Assist in the education of colleagues 
•	Help identify any Infection Control problems within the practice and work to resolve these, where necessary in conjunction with the local Infection Control Team
•	Act as a role model within the practice
•	Disseminate key Infection Control messages to their colleagues within the practice 

Practice Infection Control Lead: Danielle Donlan/Link Nurses: Jo Marlow/Rebecca Liquorish
Environment and Decontamination Lead: Danielle Donlan/Link Nurses: Jo Marlow/Rebecca Liquorish

3.	SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
COVID19.  
Change to working practice with GPs/Clinical Staff wearing full PPE when seeing patients face-to-face.  

Extra cleaning and decontamination of rooms between each patient.  

Waiting rooms spaced out with a 2-metre distance between each person.  

Admin staff work spaces separated by 2 metres and masks worn.  

Readily available hand gels.

Eight admin staff contracted COVID19 earlier on in the year.  Public Health England and Infection Control team notified.  Deep clean of the surgery performed and infected members of staff self-isolated for 10 days.

4.	AUDITS / RISK ASSESSMENT
The following audits/ assessments were carried out in the practice 
•	Infection control annual audit    
May / June 2021
•	Environment and Decontamination Audit
12th May 2021

•	Cold Chain Audit
5th May 2021

As advised by Danielle Donlan, these audits now need to be carried out on a 3-monthly basis.

The audits have high-lighted several areas for discussion.  A Nurse meeting is arranged for 1st July 2021 where these will be discussed.

5.	PRIORITIES AND KEY POINTS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS

To be advised following discussion

6.	STAFF TRAINING
The infection Control Lead and Link Nurse for the Practice have attended Infection Control training in the last year.  All other clinicians and members of admin staff have completed Infection Control training on Blue Stream.  As part of new recruitment, all new members of staff are asked to complete an Infection Control Assessment Sheet.

7.	POLICIES, PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES
The Policies below have been updated this Year. They are reviewed annually or earlier when appropriate due to changes in regulations and evidence based guidance.
•	Standard Infection Control Precautions
•	Aseptic Technique
•	Isolation of Service Users with an Infection
•	Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps
•	Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids (including sharps injuries)
•	Safe Handling and Disposal of Waste
•	Packaging and Handling of Specimens
•	Immunisation of Patients
•	Decontamination of Re-usable Medical Devices and Equipment
•	Single Use Medical Devices
•	Outbreaks of Infection / Communicable Disease/ Isolation of Infective Patients
•	Reporting of Infections to the Health Protection Agency or Local Authority
•	CJD / vCJD – handling of instruments and devices
•	Environmental Cleaning
•	Uniform Policy / Dress Code
•	Antimicrobial Prescribing