Abbey Meads Medical Centre

01793 706 030

Penhill Surgery

01793 723 130

Annual Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Statement

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Annual Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Statement
Reporting Period: 1 September 2025 – 31 August 2026
Introduction
This Annual Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Statement has been produced in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections and Related Guidance.
Our organisation is committed to providing a safe, clean and hygienic environment for patients, visitors and staff. Infection prevention and control is embedded within our clinical governance arrangements and forms an essential part of the quality and safety of the services we provide.
Infection Prevention and Control Lead
The designated Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead for Abbeymeads Medical Practice and Penhill Surgery is:
Name: Sophia Childe
Role: Lead Practice Nurse / IPC Lead
The IPC Lead is responsible for overseeing infection prevention arrangements, supporting staff, monitoring compliance and ensuring that policies remain up to date and reflect current national guidance.
Infection Transmission Events
During the reporting period:
  • No significant infection transmission events or outbreaks occurred.
Infection Prevention Audits
The following audits were completed during the year:
  • Hand hygiene audit
  • Environmental cleanliness audit
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) compliance audit
  • Clinical waste management audit
  • Decontamination and cleaning audit (where applicable)
Audit findings demonstrated high levels of compliance/compliance. Where improvements were identified, action plans were implemented and monitored through the organisation’s governance processes.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments have been undertaken and reviewed throughout the year, including:
  • Infection prevention and control risk assessment
  • Cleaning schedules and environmental monitoring
  • Management of communicable diseases
  • Staff immunisation requirements
  • Waste management and sharps safety
  • Water safety and Legionella management
Any identified risks have been addressed through appropriate mitigation measures.
Staff Education and Training
All clinical and non-clinical staff receive infection prevention and control training appropriate to their role.
Training includes:
  • Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)
  • Hand hygiene
  • Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Safe management of clinical waste
  • Management of blood and body fluid spillages
  • Respiratory hygiene and infection prevention
  • Management of infectious diseases
Compliance with mandatory IPC training is monitored as part of the organisation’s governance arrangements.
Policies and Procedures
During the reporting period, infection prevention policies and procedures were reviewed and updated in line with current national guidance where appropriate.
Policies include:
  • Infection Prevention and Control Policy
  • Hand Hygiene Policy
  • Cleaning and Decontamination Policy
  • Waste Management Policy
  • Sharps Safety Policy
  • Personal Protective Equipment Policy
  • Management of Exposure Incidents
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Where applicable, prescribing follows national antimicrobial stewardship principles to support appropriate antibiotic use and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
Looking Ahead
During the next reporting year we will continue to:
  • Maintain high standards of infection prevention and control.
  • Review infection risks through regular audits.
  • Ensure staff complete mandatory IPC training.
  • Review policies in line with national guidance.
  • Promote continuous quality improvement to minimise infection risks.
Review
This statement will be reviewed annually and updated to reflect infection prevention and control activity undertaken during each reporting year.