Purpose 

This annual statement will be generated each year in January, 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 organisation’s 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 carried out 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 Cricklade Surgery is Kimberley Rowling, Practice Nurse.  

The IPC Lead is supported by the Practice Manager and the wider clinical team.

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 in 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 which 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 at 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, there have been 0 significant events raised which related to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control. 

b.         Infection prevention audit and actions

The Infection Prevention and Control audits are carried out on a rolling basis, with the annual audit being completed in March 2026, and as a result of these audits so far, the following changes have been implemented:

·       Contracts with cleaners reviewed to ensure meeting current legislative requirements.

·       Induction booklet being implemented for all new staff.

·       Regular clinical meetings to include updates on any current/relevant issues pertaining to Infection Control

A supportive audit was conducted, in conjunction with Kimberley Rowling, By Jennifer Bennett-Britton, Infection and Prevention Control Nurse Specialist on 01.04.2026

The following audits are planned for undertaking with the next year:

·       Annual Infection Prevention and Control Audit

·       Personal Protective Equipment Audit

·       Aseptic Technique Audit

·       Hand hygiene Audit

·       Waste audit

·       Monthly Room spot checks

c.         Risk assessments 

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed.

In the last year, the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed including:

·       General IPC risks

·       Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training

·       COSHH

·       Cleaning standards

·       Privacy curtain cleaning or changes

·       Staff vaccinations

·       Sharps

d.         Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Cricklade Surgery all staff and contractors receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training at set intervals as per the mandatory training schedule.

e.         Policies and procedures

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. 

f.          Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all staff members at Cricklade Surgery to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it. 

g.         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 January each year.

For and on behalf of Cricklade Surgery

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/you-and-your-general-practice-english/

Newsletter.pdf

Our Friends and Family feedback for March 2026 can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

April feedback

https://bsw.icb.nhs.uk/people-seeking-help-for-minor-conditions-adds-extra-pressure-to-busy-nhs/

https://bsw.icb.nhs.uk/advice-for-caring-for-flu-at-home/

Overview of RSV vaccination programme

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in the UK but is relatively unknown to the public.  On 1 September 2024, two new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes will be introduced –

1) A programme to protect infants by vaccinating pregnant women (from 28 weeks)

2) A programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old

All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. A one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity. We will invite patients as they become eligible.

To view our most recent Newsletter please follow the link below:

 Winter Newsletter.docx

To all our Patients

Contacting the surgery

 Before contacting the practice, please do consider self-help and pharmacy options:

• The NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/
• 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/
• Mental health support: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/your-mind-plan-quiz/
• Pharmacy details: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy
• Advice for parents of children and young people https://what0-18.nhs.uk/