Crocus Medical Practice is committed to promoting effective infection prevention and control (IPC) arrangements to help protect patients, staff and visitors.

This annual statement has been produced in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections and Related Guidance. The statement summarises the arrangements in place to prevent and control infection within the Practice and provides an overview of IPC activity undertaken during the reporting period.

 

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead:  The IPC Lead oversees infection prevention and control arrangements within the Practice, including policy review, training, audits, risk assessment activities and implementation of relevant national guidance.

 

Infection Transmission Incidents

During the reporting period, no significant infection prevention and control incidents or outbreaks were identified that required escalation.

To support the prevention of infection transmission, the Practice has arrangements in place that include:

• Telephone assessment of patients with potentially infectious symptoms where appropriate.
• Access to an isolation room when required.
• Application of standard infection prevention and control precautions.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) based on current guidance and risk assessment.
• Promotion of effective hand hygiene practices for staff.

These arrangements are reviewed periodically to support the maintenance of a safe clinical environment.

 

IPC Audits and Monitoring

The Practice undertakes a programme of infection prevention and control audits and monitoring activities designed to assess compliance with local policies and national guidance.

These activities include:

• Hand hygiene audits.
• Cleaning audits and monitoring of cleaning schedules.
• Sharps management audits.
• Vaccine and medical refrigerator temperature monitoring.
• Stock control checks for clinical supplies.

Audit findings are reviewed by the IPC Lead and Practice Management Team. Where opportunities for improvement are identified, actions are recorded, monitored and reviewed through the Practice's governance processes.

During the reporting period, no significant infection prevention and control concerns were identified through routine audit and monitoring activities.

 

Environmental Safety Measures

To support effective infection prevention and control arrangements, the Practice:

• Maintains clinical furniture and equipment suitable for cleaning and decontamination.
• Displays relevant infection prevention and control signage where appropriate.
• Provides access to hand hygiene facilities for patients, staff and visitors.
• Makes available guidance relating to sharps safety and personal protective equipment within clinical areas.
• Ensures clinical curtains are managed in accordance with local arrangements and relevant guidance.

The Practice works collaboratively with the building owner and relevant contractors to support the maintenance of premises-related health, safety and infection prevention requirements.

 

Cleaning and Waste Management

The Practice maintains cleaning arrangements intended to support a clean and hygienic environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Measures include:

• Regular cleaning of clinical and communal areas in accordance with agreed cleaning schedules.
• Monitoring of cleaning standards through routine checks and audit activity.
• Appropriate segregation, storage and disposal of clinical and domestic waste.
• Safe management and disposal of sharps in accordance with local and national requirements.
• Availability of approved cleaning and decontamination products within clinical areas where required.

The Practice works with relevant service providers and contractors to support compliance with applicable waste management and infection prevention requirements.

Any issues identified through inspections, audits or staff reporting processes are reviewed and addressed through the Practice's governance arrangements.

 

Risk Assessments

The Practice maintains a programme of infection prevention and control risk assessments, including:

• Review of Legionella risk assessment information and water safety measures provided by the landlord.
• Infection outbreak preparedness planning.
• Clinical environment and equipment risk assessments.
• COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments.

Where risks are identified, appropriate actions are considered, implemented and monitored. The Practice liaises with the landlord regarding premises-related risks to support a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

 

Staff Training

All staff are required to undertake infection prevention and control training appropriate to their role.

Training arrangements include:

• Infection prevention and control training during staff induction.
• Mandatory refresher training.
• Updates in response to changes in national guidance, legislation or best practice.
• Additional role-specific training where appropriate.

Training compliance is monitored by the Practice, and action is taken where updates or refresher training are required.

 

IPC Policies and Procedures

The Practice maintains a range of infection prevention and control policies and procedures that support the delivery of safe and effective care.

These include:

• Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
• Hand Hygiene Policy.
• Sharps Safety Policy.
• Cleaning and Decontamination Procedures.
• Waste Management Policy.

Policies are reviewed on a regular basis and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, national guidance or best practice.

All staff are expected to be familiar with and comply with relevant policies and procedures.

 

Antimicrobial Prescribing and Stewardship

The Practice recognises the importance of responsible antimicrobial prescribing in helping to reduce antimicrobial resistance.

During the reporting period, the Practice:

• Followed local and national antimicrobial prescribing guidance.
• Reviewed prescribing information where appropriate.
• Supported antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
• Promoted patient awareness regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Antimicrobial stewardship remains an important component of the Practice's approach to infection prevention and patient safety.

 

Priorities for 2026/27

During the coming year, the Practice intends to:

• Continue infection prevention and control audit and monitoring activities.
• Support high standards of environmental cleanliness and hygiene.
• Provide ongoing staff training and development.
• Review and update IPC policies and procedures as required.
• Continue to assess and monitor infection prevention and control risks.
• Maintain preparedness for seasonal and emerging infectious diseases.
• Support responsible antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship.

 

Annual Declaration

Crocus Medical Practice has arrangements in place to prevent and control infection and continues to monitor the effectiveness of these arrangements through audit, training, policy review and risk assessment activities.

During the reporting period, no significant infection prevention and control incidents were identified that required escalation.

The Practice remains committed to the ongoing review and improvement of its infection prevention and control arrangements to help support the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

Prepared by: Infection Prevention and Control Lead
Reviewed by: Practice Manager Name
Approved by: Crocus Medical Practice Partners
Date Approved: August 2026