Infection Control Annual Statement 2026

The Grove Medical Center

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Annual Statement

Reporting Period: Feb 2025  - March 2026

Date Published: 23/03/2026

1. Introduction

 

This annual statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections. It provides a summary of:

  • Infection transmission incidents and actions taken
  • IPC audits and outcomes
  • Risk assessments undertaken
  • Staff training and education
  • Policies and procedures relating to IPC

2. IPC Lead

 

IPC Nursing lead: Katherine Boshoff – ACP/ANP

IPC GP lead: Dr Leach

Antimicrobial prescribing Lead:  Dr R Verma

Sepsis Lead: Dr R Verma

ICB Lead: Erika Bowker

IPC Support and queries: syheartlandsccg.shipc@nhs.net

 

They are responsible for overseeing infection prevention and control, ensuring compliance, and implementing improvements.

3. Summary of Infection Incidents

 

During this reporting period:

  • Number of significant events related to infection control: NONE

·         Outbreaks - NONE

4. Infection Control Audits

 

The following audits were completed:

  • Hand Hygiene Audit – August 2025 and March 2026.
  • Cleaning Audit – August 2025 and March 2026.
  • Waste Management Audit – March 2026
  • Sharps Handling Audit – August 2025 and March 2026.

 

Summary of findings:

  • Good compliance overall.
  • Reminders needed for correct placement of clinical waste and sharps (which colour bag / bins)

 

 

Actions taken:

  • Missing items replaced.
  • Staff reminded re protocol / procedures via email and practice meetings.  
  • New light to be ordered for Room 3.

 

An audit on Minor Surgery was carried out by Dr R Verma, 0% infections were reported, which is under the national guidance of 5%. 

 

An audit on coil and implant insertion was carried out by Dr Leach. 0% infections were reported which is under national guidance.

 

 

5. Risk Assessments

 

Risk assessments carried out include:

  • Legionella risk assessment – 10/06/2025
  • Premises cleanliness and maintenance  - adequate and under constant review.
  • Deep clean  - last completed March 2026.
  • Equipment decontamination processes – adequate and being followed.
  • Waste Management: As per the NHS Clinical Waste Strategy 2023, the Grove medical centre continues to make changes in its waste management practices.  

·         This practice has registered with the RCGP Green Impact for Health. It provides a toolkit to aid the practice improve its sustainability, reduce its harmful impact on planetary health; adapt to the risks of climate change. Solar panels have been installed at the practice to aim to reduce the carbon footprint.

·         Safe Management of Staff health and wellbeing to manage infection prevention and control.

·         This practice has processes in place to risk manage new and existing staff to assist them in their role within the practice e.g. risk assessment of need for immunisation; health screening; use of personal protective equipment (PPE); access to occupational health services.

 

 

Actions from risk assessments:

  • None

6. Policies and Procedures

 

The practice has reviewed and updated IPC-related policies, including:

  • Infection Control Policy
  • Hand Hygiene Policy
  • Waste Disposal Policy
  • Sharps Safety Policy
  • Cleaning and Decontamination Policy

 

All policies are accessible to staff and reviewed regularly.

7. Staff Training

 

During this period:

  • 100% of staff up to date with IPC related training.
  • Training provided:
    • Induction training for new staff
    • Annual IPC updates
    • Additional training where required via online learning.

·         All staff receive updates at monthly meetings and via the IPC notice board and at meetings.

·         IPC is integrated into the induction process for all staff

·         IPC lead attends quarterly Practice Nurse IPC Forums organised by Surrey Heartlands ICB. The last IPC forum was attended in December 2025.

    •  

8. Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobials are a group of agents that either kill or inhibit the growth and division of micro-organisms. They include antibiotics, antiseptic, disinfectants, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-parasitic medicines. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) describes when micro-organisms evolve over time and no longer respond to any antimicrobial therapy.

The solution to reducing further AMR is Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS), this is a healthcare wide system approach to promote and monitor judicious use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness.

·         The practice has systems in place to manage and monitor the use of antimicrobials e.g.  monitoring patients who may have severe infections such as sepsis to ensure they are treated promptly with suitable antimicrobials. Sepsis is reviewed at every monthly staff meeting and outcomes discussed.

·         The lead for sepsis and AMS attend monthly educational meetings where audits/prescribing events are analysed and best practice established. These were last discussed at the educational meeting, the next meeting is April 2026.

·         The practice follows the NICE Summary of Antimicrobial prescribing guidance – managing common infections ( February 2023) and the RCGP antimicrobial guidance (January 2024).

·         The practice works in line with the Surrey Heartlands ICB Antimicrobial Optimisation Group which produces quarterly Microbial Matters Newsletters. This is distributed to all clinical staff.

·         Practice prescribers work closely with in-house pharmacists and lead PCN pharmacists to ensure standardisation of antimicrobial prescribing.

·         The practice promotes national antimicrobial awareness on its website as and when this arises.

·         The practice follows the Surrey Heartlands ICB Wound Management Formulary which promotes evidence based guidance on wound management and topical antimicrobials.

·         Best practice information is disseminated to all staff via monthly meetings.

 

 

9. Cleaning and Environment

  • Cleaning is carried out in accordance with national standards
  • Cleaning schedules are in place and monitored
  • Clinical and non-clinical areas are maintained to a high standard

10. Future Priorities (Next 12 Months)

 

The practice aims to:

  • Improve waste segregation / management protocols.
  • Continue staff training uptake
  • Update IPC policies in line with latest guidance
  • Continue monitoring infection risks and action as appropriate.

11. Review and Approval

 

This statement will be reviewed annually and updated accordingly.

 

Date Published: 10th April, 2025
Date Last Updated: 27th March, 2026