Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in March 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. The report will be published on the practice website and will include the following summary:
- 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
The lead for infection prevention and control at Musters Medical Practice is Shelley Herbert (Nurse Manager)
The IPC Lead is supported by Emma Strzelec, Practice Manager
a. Infection transmission incidents (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 in 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 (01.02.24 – 28.02.25) there have been 1 significant event raised that related to infection control. This was due to the breakdown of the vaccine fridge. There have been no complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.
b. Infection prevention audit and actions
Musters Medical Practice received a rating of good following the most recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission in December 2015, it was noted that the practice maintained appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene and the premises was observed to be clean and tidy.
Regular audits are carried out and a rolling refurbishment programme is in operation to ensure compliance with all standards.
c. Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised to be as low as reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment which can identify best practice can be established and then followed.
In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:
- General IPC risks
- COSHH
- Legionella
- Staff Vaccination
In the next year, the following risk assessment will also be reviewed:
- General IPC risks
- COSHH
- Legionella
- Staff Vaccination
d. Training
In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Musters Medical Practice all staff receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually.
e. Policies and procedures
The infection prevention and control related policies and procedures which have been written, updated or reviewed in the last year include, but are not limited, to:
- Infection Prevention Control policy
- Staff Immunisation policy
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Policy
- COSHH Policy
- Hand Hygiene
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 Musters Medical Practice to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.
Review
The IPC Lead and Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.
This annual statement will be updated on or before 1st March 2026
Signed by
Emma Strzelec
Practice Manager