Infection Control

The Practice holds a contract with an Infection Control company called Infection Prevention Solutions who undertake an annual audit in conjunction with the Practice lead Ruthlyn Royal.

The company organises annual training for staff as well as more robust training for the lead staff. The cleaning company who hold a contract with the practice for undertaking cleaning also conduct daily, weekly and monthly audits.

For help and advice on maintaining infection control standards at home please see below

Patient information

Together we can fight infection

Any infection can be caught or spread were there are ill people together, this can be in a hospital, a care home a GP surgery or in a public place. The information below explains how you can help the staff to reduce infection and provide a clean and safe environment in which you receive treatment and/ or care. By following the points in this advice, you can help us to prevent vulnerable individuals picking up an infection and prevent the spread of infections. If people pick up an infection, it can cause discomfort, pain and anxiety.

How does infection spread?

You need a germ. The germ lives in or on its host, another person, an animal, or a contaminated surface (door handle, worktop, equipment).

The germ is passed on by either direct or indirect contact, this can be coughing, sneezing, hand contact with someone who carries the germ on their hand, or by touching a contaminated surface.

If the germ then enters your system and you are not immune to it you can catch the infection. Generally healthy people are less likely to catch infections, as their immune system should protect them well. But if for any reason your immune system is weaker than normal, you will be more vulnerable and therefore need to protect yourself even more against any infection.

What you can do:

Hand Hygiene:

• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet
• Wash your hands before eating / taking medication
• Where supplied use alcohol hand gel to clean your hands ( hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes, other care settings)
• Avoid touching your wounds or any indwelling devices you may have (tubes, drains or needles for example.) If you must touch clean your hands before and afterwards.
• If you are examined or have to have a procedure, do not be afraid to ask the staff if they have washed their hands or used alcohol hand gel first.

Personal Hygiene

• Please shower or bath, wear clean clothes and check your footwear is not muddy before going to your GP surgery or any other clinical setting.
• The area where you are receiving treatment/ care should be clean. However if you are concerned about the cleaning standards, please report it immediately.
• Children should be discouraged from crawling on the floor and must be supervised at all times.
• If you receive any treatment or care at home, please provide hand washing facilities where possible, for the person attending to you.