Risk alert: Annual infection control statement

GP practices are required to produce an annual infection control statement to demonstrate their compliance with guidelines on infection prevention and cleanliness.

It has come to our attention that the CQC has recently criticised several practices for their lack of such a statement. As a result we would like to check you are aware of the regulation and what you need to do to be compliant.

Action points for your infection control lead:

Part 3, section 1.4 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance states that the Infection Control Prevention Lead should produce:

• An annual statement with regard to compliance with practice on infection prevention and cleanliness and make it available on request
• An audit programme to ensure that appropriate policies have been developed and implemented
• Evidence that the annual statement from the Infection Prevention Lead has been reviewed and, where indicated, acted upon.

In this statement you may wish to include:

• An introduction to the purpose of the document, including the person who has produced it and the period of time it is covering
• Details of the name of the infection control lead and an outline of their responsibilities
• Any significant events relating to infection control, including a summary of any outbreaks of infection, such as multiple cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, norovirus, or Clostridium difficile
• Details of any infection control audits and risk assessments undertaken and action plans/recommendations
• Details of any instruction, information and training in infection prevention and control received by staff
• Any review and update of local policies, procedures and guidelines.