We aim to keep our surgery clean and tidy and offer a safe environment to our patients and staff. We are proud of our modern, purpose built Practice and endeavour to keep it clean and well maintained at all times.

If you have any concerns about cleanliness or infection control, please report these to our Reception staff.

Our GPs and nursing staff follow our Infection Control Policy to ensure the care we deliver and the equipment we use is safe.
We take additional measures to ensure we maintain the highest standards:

• Encourage staff and patients to raise any issues or report any incidents relating to cleanliness and infection control.  We can discuss these and identify improvements we can make to avoid any future problems.
• Carry out an annual infection control audit to make sure our infection control procedures are working.
• Provide annual staff updates and training on cleanliness and infection control
• Review our policies and procedures to make sure they are adequate and meet national guidance.
• Maintain the premises and equipment to a high standard within the available financial resources and ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce or remove all infection risk.
• Use washable or disposable materials for items such as couch rolls, modesty curtains, floor coverings, towels etc., and ensure that these are laundered, cleaned or changed frequently to minimise risk of infection.
• Make Alcohol Hand Rub Gel available throughout the building

Infection Control Annual Statement 2017/2018

Purpose

The annual statement will be generated each year in March
It will summarise:

• Any infection transmission incidents and action taken (these will be reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure.)
• The annual infection control audit summary and actions undertaken
• Control risk assessments undertaken
• Details of staff training (both as part of induction and annual training) with regards to infection prevention & control
• Details of infection control advise to patients
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines.

Background:

Tilehurst Surgery Lead for Infection Prevention /Control is Lynn Storey who is supported by Janet Clark.
This team keep updated with infection prevention &control practices and share necessary information with staff and patients throughout the year.

Significant events:

In the past year January 2017 – January 2018 there has been 1 significant events that
related to infection prevention & control.

Audits:

Infection Control Audit was performed by Michaela Hopper, Lynn Storey and Desiree
Warren in December 2017. The resulting actions are being undertaken.

Risk Assessments:

Regular risk assessments are undertaken to minimise the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The following risk assessments related to infection prevention and control have been completed in the past year and appropriate actions
have been taken:

• Provision and cleaning of toys
• Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
• Disposal of waste
• Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and occupational infections
• Sharps injury
• Risk of body fluid spills