HEALTH AND SAFETY

Wickhambrook Surgery statement of general policy

 

General Public

• To employ only trained staff (or trainees that are supervised by a suitably qualified person)
• To provide suitably safe facilities and equipment [that has regular safety checks]
• To have established procedures for evacuation of the premises in case of an emergency
• To have Infection control procedures in place

 

Staff

• To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities
• To consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety
• To provide and maintain safe plant and equipment
• To ensure safe handling and use of substances
• To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees
• To ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training
• To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
• To maintain safe and healthy working conditions

 

Specific Arrangement

• All work areas to be kept clean and tidy
• All rubbish to be cleaned away
• All corridors to be kept clear at all times
• All spillages of water, chemicals or other substances to be cleared immediately with due respect to the content of the material spoilt
• No machinery or other equipment to be run without necessary guards and safety equipment in position and in full working order
• Excepting for clinical emergencies, no person will be allowed on site under the influence of alcohol and/or non-prescribed drugs
• To establish and maintain fire extinguisher and fire points
• To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
• To record any accidents in the Accident Book and immediately report any such accident to the Practice Manager
• To review and revise this policy as appropriate at regular intervals

Infection Control Annual Statement 2023

 

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year 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 any staff training

Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leads

IPC Lead – Nurse Emma Williamson

Support – Caroline George, Deputy Practice Manager

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 learn and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.  All significant events are reviewed in regular significant event meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

A potential infection transmission incident occurred recently, when a patient had a bowel issue in the waiting room resulting in leaking onto a waiting room chair.  The reception staff on duty were quite new to post and had not been made aware where to locate a body spill kit and how to isolate the immediate area pending sanitisation.  Induction policy has been updated and education delivered to new staff.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The most recent Infection Prevention and Conrol Audit was completed in June 2022.  This involves a comprehensive review of all aspects of infection prevention and control within the surgery.

As a result of this audit, implementation of the following actions were scheduled:

Introduce disposable mops

Purchase a back-up fridge for vaccines

Programme of decorating works

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed.  In the last year the following risk assesssments were carried out/reviewed.

Immunisation:  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 (ie Seasonal Flu). 

We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.  Immunisation in a patient's home is carried out by nurses working in pairs. One vaccinating, and one completing the paper administration.

Other examples of Infection Prevention and Control activities:

Curtains:  The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be cleaned or replaced every 6 months.  This activity is carried out by the HCA.

Toys:  NHS Cleaning Specifications recommend that all toys are cleaned regularly.  During the CoVID pandemic all toys were removed from the waiting area. However, we have re-introduced a very small selection wipe-able toys only in the waiting area

Cleaning Specifications:  frequencies and cleanliness:  We work with our cleaning team to ensure the surgery cleanliness is maintained as best is possible.  Our cleaning team follow a cleaning specification and complete daily schedules.

Hand washing sinks:  The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in clinical rooms for staff to use.  We perform a regular visual inspection of the sinks looking for defects

Training

All staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control.

In 2023, this took place during protected staff time in a dedicated shutdown afternoon and was provided by Nurse Emma Williamson

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. They are also amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes.  Infection Control policies are highlighted at meetings on an annual basis.

Responsibilities

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

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the Deputy Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

This annual statement will be updated on or before January 2024