Infection Prevention Control

Infection Control Annual Statement

 

Purpose

 

This annual statement will be generated each year in November in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. It summarises:

 

Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure)

 

Details of any infection control audits undertaken and actions undertaken

 

Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection

Details of staff training

Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

 

    • Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

The Argyll House Surgery has 1 Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Nichola Dee(Lead Nurse)

The IPC Lead is supported by Rosie Thebe has attended an IPC Lead training course in 2023 and keeps updated on infection prevention practice.

 

Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events)

 

Significant events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed in monthly meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

 

    • In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control.

 

    • Infection Prevention Audit and Actions
    • The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Chris Wheeler in October 2023
    • As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed at Argyll House Surgery:
    • Policies and Processes have been put in place and reviewed.
    • Staff have completed infection control training relevant to their role.
    • Changes have been undertaken to improve surgery infrastructure.
    • An audit on Minor Surgery was undertaken by Chris Wheeler in October 2023
    • No infections were reported for patients who had had minor surgery at the Argyll House Surgery

An audit on hand washing was undertaken in October 2023.  This was discussed at the Practice Clinical Meeting.

    • The Argyll House Surgery plan to undertake the following audits in 2024

Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit

 

Minor Surgery outcomes audit

 

Domestic Cleaning audit

 

Hand hygiene audit

 

    • Risk Assessments

 

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out / reviewed:

 

Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff.

 

Immunisation: As a practice we ensure that all of 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, COVID). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.

 

Curtains: The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be cleaned or if using disposable curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect we use disposable curtains and ensure they are changed every 6 months. The window blinds are very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build-up of dust. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are never handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled.

 

Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. Some of our sinks do not meet the latest standards for sinks but we have removed plugs, covered overflows and reminded staff to turn off taps that are not ‘hands free’ with paper towels to keep patients safe. We have also replaced our liquid soap with wall mounted soap dispensers to ensure cleanliness.

    • Training

All our staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control.

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year.

The following policies are currently being updated:

 

Infection Prevention Control Policy

 

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually.   Infection Control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings on an annual basis.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

Review date

11.12.2023

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the Operations Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

Rosie Thebe

Operations Manager

For and on behalf of the Argyll House Surgery

Privacy Notice and GDPR

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and your information

The ICO recognises the unprecedented challenges the NHS and other health professionals are facing during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The ICO also recognise that ‘Public bodies may require additional collection and sharing of personal data to protect against serious threats to public health.’

The Government have also taken action in respect of this and on 20th March 2020 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care issued a Notice under Regulation 3(4) of The Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 requiring organisations such as GP Practices to use your information to help GP Practices and other healthcare organisations to respond to and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to look after your healthcare needs during this difficult time, we may urgently need to share your personal information, including medical records, with clinical and non-clinical staff who belong to organisations that are permitted to use your information and need to use it to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. This could (amongst other measures) consist of either treating you or a member of your family and enable us and other healthcare organisations to monitor the disease, assess risk and manage the spread of the disease.

Please be assured that we will only share information and health data that is necessary to meet yours and public healthcare needs.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has also stated that these measures are temporary and will expire on 30th September 2020 unless a further extension is required. An extension has now been granted and this has been extended until 30th September 2021. Any further extension will be will be provided in writing and we will communicate the same to you. Please also note that the data protection and electronic communication laws do not stop us from sending public health messages to you, either by phone, text or email as these messages are not direct marketing. It may also be necessary, where the latest technology allows us to do so, to use your information and health data to facilitate digital consultations and diagnoses and we will always do this with your security in mind.

If you are concerned about how your information is being used, please contact our DPO using the contact details provided in the Privacy Notice link below.

The DPA (Data Protection Act) 2018 sets out the framework for data protection law in the UK. It updates and replaces the Data Protection Act 1998, and came into effect on 25 May 2018.

It sits alongside the GDPR, and tailors how the GDPR applies in the UK – for example by providing exemptions. It also sets out separate data protection rules for law enforcement authorities, extends data protection to some other areas such as national security and defence, and sets out the Information Commissioner’s functions and powers.

The GDPR is the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679. It sets out the key principles, rights and obligations for most processing of personal data – but it does not apply to processing for law enforcement purposes, or to areas outside EU law such as national security or defence.

The GDPR came into effect on 25 May 2018. As a European Regulation, it has direct effect in UK law and automatically applies in the UK until we leave the EU (or until the end of any agreed transition period, if we leave with a deal). After this date, it will form part of UK law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, with some technical changes to make it work effectively in a UK context

Privacy Notice

Children’s Privacy Notice

Your Data Matters to the NHS

In May 2018 the strict rules about how data can and cannot be used were strengthened. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used. You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.

To find out more visit: nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call 0300 303 5678

Summary Care Record

There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.

Why do I need a Summary Care Record?

Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.

This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.

Who can see it?

Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.

How do I know if I have one?

Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP

Do I have to have one?

No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.

More Information

For further information visit the NHS Care records website

Download the opt out form >>>>

Violence Policy

The NHS operates a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.

Complaints

We strive to provide the best service to everyone who visits our practice. However, we understand that sometimes things can go wrong, leading to valid complaints. If you feel this way, we want to resolve the issue quickly and amicably.

To make a complaint, please write to the Practice Manager, who will address your concerns appropriately.

Argyll House Surgery, 78 West Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2QG

Access to Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Access to Health Records Act, patients (or their representatives) may request access to their medical records. No information will be released without the patient (or their representatives) consent unless we are legally obliged to do so. Requests are free of charge and under the GDPR and DPA 2018 we have one month to comply with your request. Under the Access to Health Records (access to deceased individuals records) we have 40 calendar days to comply with such requests.

Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information and Disclosure

Information regarding GPs and the practice, as required under relevant legislation, can be made available to the public. All requests for such information must be submitted in writing to the Practice Manager.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in the UK, public authorities are required to respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests within 20 working days from the day after the request is received.

Extensions to the Timeframe:

  • If additional time is needed to consider the public interest test, the authority may extend the response period by up to 20 additional working days.
  • For environmental information requests governed by the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004, extensions may apply in cases of complexity.

Non-Compliance Procedures: If a public authority fails to meet the response deadline:

  1. The requester can submit a request for an internal review to the authority.
  2. If the issue remains unresolved, the requester can file a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Confidentiality and Medical Records

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

  • To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
  • To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
  • When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Our Practice Mission

Argyll House Mission Statement

To provide professional, accessible, high quality, comprehensive healthcare services that inspires confidence in our patients and our community.

Our Vision

We aim to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients in a safe and welcoming environment. Our Doctors and staff are approachable, respectful and patient-cantered

We aim to be at the forefront of modern general practice, offering a wide range of services and facilities.

We aim to use technology smartly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our administration, patient contact and clinical activity

We will continue to invest in our staff, diversifying and developing our skills and knowledge base to ensure that we have a highly skilled, resilient and adaptable work force to meet the needs of our patients and communities

We aim to support the development through a greater understanding and treatment of disease through proactive engagement with research projects in the future.

We will seek to collaborate and work in partnership to strengthen community links and respond to local, regional and national initiatives

Our Values

We are accountable: 

We ensure we take responsibility for our actions, and are open and transparent to the people who use our service.

We are fair:  

We are consistent in the way we deal with people, both patients and staff, we act courteously, show consideration, compassion and understanding valuing each person as an individual.

We are professional: 

We strive to achieve a high level of medical care for our patients and responsive to medical need both for the individual and for the community as a whole. We maintain our professional learning and follow guidelines where appropriate to do so.

Our success is built upon the personal and professional achievement of everyone who works at Argyll House Practice.

We are innovative: 

We constantly review the service we provide and improve it when and where possible. We use all available resources, including technology to provide the best service we can.

We nurture innovation, lead on learning and development and embrace emerging technologies.

 

We are caring: 

We will put our patients at the heart of all that we do.

We respect and value everyone for their contribution, we engage with the community and local resources where possible, we celebrate peoples’ differences and provide equality of opportunity for all without discrimination.

GP Net Earnings

NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below.

However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS Services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in Argyll House Surgery in the last financial year was £67,000 before tax and National Insurance. This is for one  full time GP.