Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in October 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 Bridgemary Medical Centre has 2 Leads for Infection Prevention and Control:
Glynis Shoults – Practice Nurse
Avril Smith – Advanced Nurse Practitioner
The IPC Lead is supported by:
Abbie Dore – Operations Manager
April Wraight – Data Lead
Glynis Shoults and Avril Smith has attended an IPC Lead training course and keeps 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 bimonthly practice 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 Abbie Dore in October 2025
The Practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2025-2026
- Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
- Domestic Cleaning audit
- Hand hygiene audit
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: 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 of 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, COVID). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.
Toys: We have no toys in the practice OR NHS Cleaning Specifications recommend that all toys are cleaned regularly and we therefore provide only wipeable toys in waiting / consultation rooms.
Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: We have added a cleaning specification and frequency policy poster in the waiting room to inform our patients of what they can expect in the way of 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.
Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. Some of our sinks do not meet the latest standards for sinks but we have removed plugs, covered overflows and reminded staff to turn of taps that are not ‘hands free’ with paper towels to keep patients safe. We have also replaced our liquid soap with wall mounted soap dispensers to ensure cleanliness.
Training
All our staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control.
Clinical Staff – IPC Level 2
Non-Clinical Staff – IPC Level 1
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 annually and all are 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 each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
Review date
23.10.2026
Responsibility for Review
The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.
Abbie Dore
Operations Manager
For and on behalf of Bridgemary Medical Centre
CQC Myth buster Guidance
GP mythbusters: Full list of tips and mythbusters – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)