We are committed to providing a safe, clean and hygienic environment for all our patients, staff and visitors. Our practice is a modern, purpose-built facility, and we take all reasonable steps to ensure it is kept clean, well maintained and compliant with current infection prevention and control standards.
We follow national guidance, including NHS England and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) standards, and ensure that effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are embedded in all aspects of patient care.
If you have any concerns about cleanliness or infection control, we encourage you to inform a member of our reception or management team so that we can investigate and take appropriate action.
Our approach to infection prevention and control includes:
- Ensuring all clinical and non-clinical staff follow the practice Infection Prevention and Control Policy at all times
- Promoting good hand hygiene in line with “Bare Below the Elbows” principles where appropriate, and providing alcohol-based hand rub throughout the practice for staff and patients
- Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and ensuring it is used correctly
- Maintaining effective cleaning schedules for all clinical areas, waiting areas, toilets and high-touch surfaces, with enhanced cleaning where required
- Using single-use disposable equipment where appropriate, and ensuring reusable equipment is appropriately cleaned and decontaminated between patients
- Safe management and disposal of clinical waste, including sharps, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements
- Ensuring safe storage and handling of specimens and clinical materials
- Maintaining effective decontamination procedures for reusable medical equipment
- Encouraging and supporting staff training in infection prevention and control on induction and through regular updates
- Appointing an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead responsible for overseeing compliance, training, and audit
- Carrying out regular infection control audits (at least annually) and acting on findings to drive continuous improvement
- Reviewing IPC policies and procedures regularly to ensure they remain up to date with national guidance and best practice
- Maintaining the premises, fixtures, fittings and equipment to a high standard within available resources, ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce infection risks
- Using washable or single-use materials where appropriate (e.g. couch rolls, curtains, towels), and ensuring regular laundering or replacement to maintain hygiene standards
- Encouraging staff and patients to report incidents, near misses, or concerns related to infection control so that lessons can be learned and improvements made
We are committed to continuous improvement in infection prevention and control and regularly review our practice to ensure we provide a safe environment for everyone.