Annual statement on compliance with IPC practice for Woodbrook Medical Centre 2025

Introduction

This Annual statement has been drawn up on 2^nd April 2025 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 Woodbrook Medical Centre. 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 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:

Name: Miss Emily Sumner

Infection Prevent and Control (IPC) Lead

Supported by Anna Ingle, Business Manager

Infection transmission incidents

Significant 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 related to infection control.

Infection control audits and actions

The annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Emily Sumner and Claire Dawson in January 2025.

The following things have been changed at Woodbrook Medical Practice.

• The flooring in all clinical rooms has been replaced.
• The clinical rooms and waiting areas have been repainted.
• We are currently in the process of replacing the clinician’s desk chairs with wipeable chairs and closed general waste bins in clinical areas.
• Clinical rooms have daily cleaning schedules in situ which are uploaded onto Teamnet using a QR code.
• Regular audits with cleaning contractors to highlight any issues and maintain continuity.
• New uniform policy implemented.

An audit on hand washing was last undertaken on 13^th January 2025.

An annual personal protective equipment audit was undertaken December 2024-January 2025.

An aseptic technique audit was completed on 7^th February 2025.

The 3 monthly safe management of the care environment audit was last completed on 17^th February 2025.

The 3 monthly sharps bin audit was last completed on 19^th March 2025.

The waste audit is completed by Business Manager Anna Ingle annually.

Cold Chain Review

• There is a cold chain policy in place
• Vaccines are rotated in date order and regular stock checks are undertaken
• 2 fridges are available for vaccine storage
• Fridge temperatures are recorded daily
• Fridges have internal temperature readings via data loggers which are downloaded weekly
• A medical grade cold box is available for home visits and vaccine transfer

Woodbrook Medical Centre plan to undertake the following audits in 2025.

• Annual Hand hygiene audit of clinical staff
• Annual ANTT audit
• Annual PPE audit
• 3 monthly safe management of the care environment audit
• 3 monthly sharps bin audit
• Annual Waste audit
• Annual Infection Prevention and Control Audit due early 2026.

Risk assessments

Legionella (water) risk assessment: Water quality is monitored to ensure the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors, or staff. External testing was last carried out on 20^th March 2025.

Immunisations: As a practice we ensure our clinical staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and are offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e., MMR, seasonal flu). We take part in the national immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations via in house and home visits to our patient population.

Curtains: Disposable curtains are used in clinical rooms and are replaced on a 6 monthly basis or more frequently if damaged or soiled.

Window blinds: Considered very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other that regular vacuuming to prevent dust build up.

We no longer provide toys or magazines in the waiting rooms.

Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. We have wall mounted soap dispensers. If any sinks are to be replaced in the future, these should be sealed sinks with no overflow holes.

Training

All our clinical staff undertake annual online Infection Control training.

All clinical and non-clinical staff have completed blue stream e-learning training.

Policies

All infection Prevention Control related policies are up to date.

Policies relating to Infection Control are available for all staff and a reviewed and updated as required. Infection Control policies are available on GP Teamnet for all staff to read.

Responsibility

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

Review date

April 2026

Responsibility for review

The Infection and Control Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

Signed by

SUMNER, Practice Nurse

For and on behalf of Woodbrook Medical Centre

our health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.

What is confidential patient information?

Confidential patient information is when 2 types of information from your health records are joined together.

The 2 types of information are:

• Something that can identify you
• Something about your health care or treatment

For example, your name joined with what medicine you take.

Identifiable information on its own is used by health and care services to contact patients and this is not confidential patient information.

How we use your confidential patient information

Your individual care

Health and care staff may use your confidential patient information to help with your treatment and care. For example, when you visit your GP they may look at your records for important information about your health.

Research and planning

Confidential patient information might also be used to plan and improve health and care services research and develop cures for serious illnesses.

Your data your choice

You can stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. This is referred to as an opt-out. Any choice you make will not impact your individual care. If you set an opt-out choice, it is recorded against your NHS number on the Spine. It will remain unless you change your mind.

If you’re happy with your confidential patient information being used for research and planning you do not need to do anything.

Who must comply with the national data opt-out policy?

When you set a national data opt-out, organisations covered by the opt-out policy must make sure your opt-out choice is respected.

The national data opt-out covers confidential patient information collected about care in England. This includes:

• Publicly-funded, commissioned or coordinated health and adult social care
• Private care given in NHS settings

All organisations providing or coordinating publicly-funded health or adult social care in England will need to comply with the opt-out, even if the organisation’s headquarters are outside England. This includes private, voluntary sector and independent organisations and adult social care. Children’s social care services are not within scope of the policy.

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

How do I opt-out?

Online

To change your consent preference online you must:

• Be aged 13 or older
• Have access to your email or mobile phone
• Have your NHS number or your postcode registered with your GP surgery

If you need your NHS number please contact us on 01509239166. You will be asked some questions to confirm your identity before we release this information to you.

Complete an online opt-out form

By Phone

You can also make or change a choice for yourself by phone – phone 0300 303 5678 on Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)

By Post

Print a form to post (EXTERNAL PDF DOWNLOAD)

For someone else by post

Print a form to post (EXTERNAL PDF DOWNLOAD)

Make or change a choice for your children under the age of 13

Print a form to post (EXTERNAL PDF DOWNLOAD)

Make or change a choice for someone you can legally make decisions for

Print a form to post (EXTERNAL PDF DOWNLOAD)

We aim to maintain and improve the quality, quantity and effectiveness of services to our patients, providing access to a high standard and comprehensive primary health care.

We aim to improve the quality of life of our patients by providing screening, education and promotion of good health allowing patients to influence their own future. Our fully computerised service will provide a regular recall system for all preventative care and aid evaluation of all aspects of health care.

We shall continually assess our service making innovative changes in response to patients needs and views our aim is to improve the quality and range of our services to reduce reliance on secondary care eg hospital and community care, but when this is needed, to ensure adequate and improved access to these services.

We shall ensure that the elderly and disadvantaged receive the community and health care needed to maximise their ability to remain independent preferably in their own homes.

These services will be delivered by the primary health care team of doctors, health visitors, nurses and surgery staff. They will communicate at regular team meetings and are supported by practice policy and protocols. Requirements of the primary health care team for rest, recuperation and education are of prime importance and contribute to the satisfactory running of the practice as a whole.

Language Difficulties

If patients require the use of an interpreter, this can be arranged. This service may be conducted in person or by telephone. Please note it can take up to a week to find a suitable interpreter, so please contact us in plenty of time if this service is required.

GP Earnings

The average pay for GPs working in Woodbrook Medical Centre during the previous financial year was £90,228 before tax and national insurance. This is for 0 full time GPs, 7 part time GPs and 1 locum GP who worked in the practice for more than 6 months.