Infection Control Annual Statement Report

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in accordance with the requirements in 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 practice website and will include the following summary:

• Any infection transmission incidents and actions taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our significant event procedure)
• Details of any infection control audits carried out and follow up actions
• Details of any risk assessments undertaken for the prevention and control of infection
• Details of relevant 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 North Wood Group Practice is Grace Kearns-Conway - Lead Practice Nurse.

The IPC lead is supported by Donna Gibbs - Development Director/Practice Manager.

Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

A significant event is any unintended or unexpected event, which could or did lead to harm of one or more patients. This includes incidents which did not cause harm but had the potential to or where the event should have been prevented.

The practice has a formal process for recording and investigating such events to identify any changes that could reduce the risk of it happening again.

All significant events are reviewed and discussed at clinical governance meetings that which are held on a regular basis throughout the year. 

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 1 significant event raised (sharp injury) that related to infection control.  

There have been no complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control for the year to date. 

Infection prevention audit and actions

The practice has an audit programme in place. An annual IPC audit was carried out by Grace Kearns-Conway, Lead for Infection Prevention and Control at both Tulse Hill and Crown Dale sites on 11th & 13th March 2026 respectively and actions arising from the audit are being followed up by the practice. Further to this the Crown Dale site has undergone some building works to ensure that the clinical areas are compliant with infection prevention and control measures.  Some of these works have included changing the flooring to cap and cove and changing utility room tiling to splash-backs.  

In addition, the following audits are carried out regularly:

• Handwashing audits
• Vaccine management audits
• Domestic cleaning audits
• Clinical room spot checks
• Sharps management audits

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any infection prevention and control risk is minimised to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

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

• External Risk Assessments: Fire & Legionella
• Internal Risk Assessments: General Risk Assessment for the whole practice, including Asbestos, Fire, Hazardous Substances, COSHH, Manual Handling, Environmental risk assessments, Waste Disposal, Sharps, Drugs and Medicines

Training

All staff and contractors receive infection prevention and control induction training on joining the team. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually delivered through Practice Index HUB. 

Policies and procedures

The infection prevention and control policy is available to all staff and reviewed annually or sooner if there are any changes to national guidance or legislation.

The following policies have been reviewed and published to staff in the past year:

• Aseptic Technique Policy
• Blood Borne Viurses Policy
• Hand Hygiene Policy November 2024
• Infection Control - Specimen Handling  Biological Substances - Policy V2.0
• Infection Control Policy - Nov 2024
• Measles Response - Decontamination of Isolation Room SOP - August 2024
• Patient placement and assessment for infection risk June 2024
• PPE Personal Protective Equipment Policy 2024
• Safe management of care equipment - North Wood Group Practice 2024 
• Safe Management of Sharps and Inoculation Injuries Policy
• Standard Infection Control Precautions  transmission based precautions 2024

Responsibility

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

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 31st March 2027

Written by Grace Kearns-Conway
North Wood Group Practice
Date 8th April 2026