This annual statement will be generated each year in May and covers Mile end, Gurney and Tuckswood Surgeries.
Statement
It is a requirement of the ‘Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections’ and related guidance that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead produces an annual statement regarding compliance with good practice on IPC.
As best practice, the annual statement should be published on the Practice website.
This statement provides an overview of:
- Any infection transmission incidents and any actions taken (these will have been reported in accordance with the ‘Significant Event Procedure’)
- Details of infection control audits undertaken, and actions undertaken/planned
- Details of risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
- Details of staff training
- Review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines
- Future actions
Infection Control Leads
The main practice lead for infection control is Kevin Wright supported by Laura Soanes, Operations Manager.
The infection control lead team have the following duties and responsibilities within the practice:
- Keeping up to date with changes in Infection Control
- Ensuring use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Checking the surgery for cleanliness
- Performing infection control related audits
- Reporting any significant events or updates to the wider team
- Ensuring regular staff training on ICP
Infection Transmission Incidents (Significant Events)
Significant events (which may involve examples of near misses or good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learned and make changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed in the monthly Clinical Governance meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.
In the past year there has been one significant event raised, that relates to infection control. Where a used needle was left on top of a sharps bin without safety cover. All staff were duly reminded about safe use of sharps.
Infection Prevention Audit and Actions
The practice carries out IPC audits annually, the last audits were completed in October 2025. This involved a comprehensive review of all aspects of infection prevention and control within the surgeries. The audit demonstrated generally good IPC compliance throughout the practice.
As a result of the audit, some actions and changes are planned for example:
- Portable medical devices, such as pulse oximeters, need a process in place for routine cleaning.
- Some clinicians chairs need replacing with wipeable surface chairs.
- Clutter in some areas needs clearing and placing in wall units, shelves need removal.
- Some couches need minor repairs
- IPC Refresher training to complete for all.
- Sharps boxes need temporary enclosure when not in use.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are carried out annually so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last 12 months the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed.
- Legionella (Water) Risk Assessments: The practice reviews its water safety risk assessment annually to ensure that the water supplies do not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff (January 2026). Infrequent taps/showers are flushed weekly; water temperatures are monitored monthly and annual sampling is carried out.
- We work with our cleaners to ensure that the surgeries are kept as clean as possible. Monthly audits are conducted with the cleaning contractors to identify areas of improvement.
- Immunisation: As a practice we ensure that all our staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal Flu and Covid vaccination). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations offsite, in house and home visits to our housebound patient population.
- Curtains: Disposable curtains are used in clinical rooms and are changed every 12 months. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed more frequently if damaged or soiled.
- Pillowcases: These are wipeable and replaced on a six-monthly basis or more frequently if soiled or damaged.
- No Toys are kept in waiting rooms or clinical areas.
- Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. All our soap/hand sanitiser dispensers are refilled with sealed cartridges to prevent any cross contamination.
Castle Partnership undertake the following audits:
- Infection control audit of rooms and buildings (annually) last completed October 2025.
- Handwashing audit for all clinical and non-clinical staff this is overdue last completed December 2024.
- Sharps bin audits monthly.
- Waste stream audits monthly.
- Vaccination stock audits (monthly)
- Fridge temperature audits (monthly)Stored in teams.
- Monthly stock checks in each clinical room of stock to prevent items expiring.
Training
All our staff receive mandatory annual training in IPC via online learning on Team net as well as any relevant updates at nurse meetings. All training is logged on personnel files and ICP is part of all new staff inductions. Currently 100% is not being achieved.
Policies
All Infection Prevention Control related policies are in date.
Policies relating to Infection Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated as appropriate, all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are available on shared for all staff to read.
Antibiotic Stewardship
The practice is committed to antibiotic stewardship, and all clinicians are advised to prescribe in accordance with SCAN or local guidance.
Risk assessments
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of staff at Castle Partnerships to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities within this document.
Review Date: May 2027
Responsibility for Review: The ICP Main Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.
- Kevin Wright (Estates and Safety Facilitator)
If you have any concerns, questions or queries in regard to infection prevention control at Castle Partnerships please contact us and we aim to respond to you as soon as possible.
28/05/2026