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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Registered Manager: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Tel: {{org_field_registered_manager_phone}}, Email: {{org_field_registered_manager_email}})
Infection Control Lead: {{org_field_infection_control_lead_name}} ({{org_field_infection_control_lead_role}})
Safeguarding Lead: {{org_field_safeguarding_lead_name}} – ({{org_field_safeguarding_lead_role}})

Purpose and Scope

This Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Policy outlines how {{org_field_name}} prevents and controls infections to protect residents, staff, and visitors. It applies to all services we provide – including residential care, nursing care, and dementia care – and is relevant to all members of our care community (employees, agency staff, volunteers, contractors, service users, and their families). Our home typically supports between 15 and 120 service users at any given time, and the principles in this policy are scalable to homes of this size range. Appropriate staffing levels are maintained to ensure effective infection control at all times.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure there is an effective, proactive approach to assessing and managing the risk of infection in our care home, in line with current national guidance and regulatory requirements. We are committed to maintaining a clean, safe, and hygienic environment to protect people as much as possible from the risk of infection, ensuring that premises and equipment are kept clean and suitable for use. The policy provides clear guidance on standard infection control procedures, outbreak management, and staff responsibilities, so that everyone understands their role in preventing infection. It also sets out how we share information about infection risks with relevant partners (such as healthcare providers, Public Health authorities, families and visitors) in a timely and appropriate manner.

This policy is written in accordance with the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 regulations. In particular, it aligns with:

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – especially Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment, which requires assessing the risk of and preventing and controlling the spread of infections; Regulation 15: Premises and equipment, which requires that premises be clean, secure, suitable and properly maintained with appropriate standards of hygiene; and Regulation 17: Good governance, which requires providers to assess and mitigate risks (including infection risks) through effective oversight and record-keeping.
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) Single Assessment Framework – Safe: Infection prevention and control
  Our Infection Prevention and Control Policy is structured to evidence the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework, in particular the Safe key question and the “Infection prevention and control” quality statement. This expects providers to assess and manage the risk of infection, prevent and control the spread of infection, and share concerns promptly with appropriate agencies, in line with current national guidance. We ensure that:
  • premises and equipment are kept clean and hygienic;
  • roles and responsibilities for IPC are clearly defined and understood;
  • policies and procedures are maintained in line with up-to-date national guidance;
  • we respond promptly to infections and alert relevant external agencies; and
  • relevant staff are trained in food hygiene and safe food handling where food is prepared or served.Department of Health & Social Care’s Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections (updated 2022) – the “Hygiene Code” that provides 10 criteria for compliance with infection control requirements. The CQC must take this Code into account during inspections, and we have regard to the Code in this policy. For example, the Code requires having an IPC lead, appropriate policies, and infection control as an integral part of quality assurance.
• Relevant legislation and guidance – including the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010 which mandate reporting of certain infectious diseases; the Food Safety Act 1990 and Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 for safe food handling; the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 for safe use of cleaning chemicals and disinfectants; and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (which underpins the need to protect staff from infection risks as well as others). We also follow best-practice guidance from sources such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (e.g. NICE Quality Standard QS61 on infection prevention) and NHS England’s infection control manuals.

This policy will be implemented throughout the home and is effective from the date of issue. It reflects the latest guidance and regulatory requirements as of {{current_year}}, and is subject to regular review and updating as needed (see “Policy Review” section).

Policy Statement

{{org_field_name}} is committed to providing a safe, clean and hygienic environment for all residents, staff, and visitors. We strive to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent and control the spread of infection, in order to minimize risks to health. Our approach to infection prevention is proactive and in line with current national standards and best practices. We recognise that effective infection control is essential to the well-being and safety of the vulnerable people in our care.

In practice, this means:

• We have robust systems to assess and manage infection risks on an ongoing basis. For example, we carry out infection control risk assessments for various activities (such as personal care tasks, laundry, catering, and new admissions) and put measures in place to mitigate those risks. There is an effective plan for detecting and controlling the risk of infections spreading, including clear procedures for isolating infectious cases and managing outbreaks.
• We maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene throughout our premises and equipment, so that people are protected as much as possible from acquiring infections in the care home environment. Cleaning schedules are rigorously followed and the home is kept tidy and clutter-free to facilitate cleaning.
• We have clear roles and responsibilities for infection prevention. All staff understand their duty to follow infection control procedures, and we have designated leads (see below) who oversee and support safe practices. Managers ensure accountability and that any lapses are promptly addressed.
• Information sharing: We communicate about infection issues appropriately. If there is an infection risk or outbreak, we inform the relevant authorities and healthcare partners without delay and we also keep residents and families informed of what they need to know. We ensure confidentiality is respected while fulfilling any legal reporting duties.
• We foster a culture of continuous improvement in IPC. We regularly review our practices, learn from any incidents (e.g. if an outbreak occurs, we analyze how it started and spread), and update our protocols accordingly. Staff are encouraged to speak up about any concerns or suggestions regarding infection control, and management is receptive to making improvements. Keeping people safe from infection is seen as “everyone’s business” in our home.

The Care Quality Commission considers a service “safe” if it is “kept clean and hygienic to prevent any risk of infection”. Accordingly, our goal is to meet or exceed that expectation at all times. Failure to comply with infection control measures can result in harm to residents and staff, regulatory enforcement action, and reputational damage. Therefore, every member of the organisation is expected to adhere to this policy. Deliberate or reckless breaches of infection control protocols may result in disciplinary action and, if they put people at significant risk, could be treated as a safeguarding concern (poor IPC can be a form of organisational neglect). We will always act promptly to correct any shortcomings in our infection control practices, and we will seek support from external health professionals if needed to ensure we are following the best possible standards of care.

Roles and Responsibilities

Infection prevention and control is a shared responsibility at all levels of the organisation. Specific roles include:

• Infection Control Lead – {{org_field_infection_control_lead_name}} ({{org_field_infection_control_lead_role}}): We have appointed a dedicated Infection Prevention and Control Lead in line with the Health and Social Care Act Code of Practice requirements. The IPC Lead has the authority and responsibility to oversee infection control standards across the home. Their duties include: keeping the IPC policies up to date with the latest guidance, monitoring compliance with infection control procedures, conducting regular audits and inspections (e.g. cleanliness audits, hand hygiene observations), and advising staff on best practices. The IPC Lead provides guidance and support to the rest of the team, and plays an active role in setting and monitoring hygiene standards to keep residents safe. They also take charge during an outbreak (coordination of the response) and ensure necessary notifications to public health authorities are made. The IPC Lead reports directly to the Registered Manager (or is themselves a senior manager) and has sufficient authority to implement changes and ensure compliance.
• Registered Manager – {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}: The Registered Manager holds overall accountability for infection prevention and control in the home. They ensure that this policy and associated procedures are effectively implemented and that the service complies with Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment) in respect of infection control. Key responsibilities include: providing leadership and resources for IPC (e.g. ensuring adequate staffing levels for cleaning and care, procuring necessary cleaning supplies and PPE, and maintaining facilities/equipment); promoting a positive culture for infection control (encouraging staff, leading by example, addressing poor practice); and ensuring all staff receive appropriate training. The Registered Manager must also ensure that notifications and communications regarding infection issues are handled properly – for instance, informing CQC of any notifiable incidents and liaising with the Local Authority or Health Protection Team during outbreaks. They review all infection incidents and audit results, and report on IPC matters to senior management or the provider organisation as needed. The Registered Manager is also responsible for scheduling regular policy reviews (at least annually, or sooner if regulations/guidance change) and ensuring the policy remains up-to-date.
• All Care Staff (including nurses, care assistants, agency care workers): Care staff are the front line in infection prevention. Each staff member must understand and follow standard infection control precautions at all times – this includes strict hand hygiene, correct use of PPE, safe handling of waste and laundry, and maintaining a clean environment in their day-to-day duties. Staff should be vigilant and proactively manage infection risks: for example, observing residents for signs of infection (such as fever, cough, diarrhoea, wound redness) and reporting these to the nurse or manager; using aseptic techniques when assisting with dressings or catheter care; and isolating residents (with manager guidance) who show symptoms of transmissible infections. Staff are expected to adhere to all IPC training they have received and to ask for clarification if unsure about any procedure. They also have a duty to raise any concerns – if, for instance, they feel cleaning is insufficient in an area or if they notice a colleague not following PPE guidance, they should report this so it can be corrected. We empower staff to speak up, and there will be no blame for reporting issues; instead, we treat it as an opportunity to improve practices. Staff must also cooperate with all monitoring (e.g. audits, spot checks) and attend refresher training as required. Ultimately, every staff member is personally responsible for carrying out their tasks in a manner that prevents infection and protects our residents.
• Housekeeping/Domestic Staff: Our cleaning and domestic staff have a crucial role in infection control by keeping the environment clean and hygienic. They must follow the detailed cleaning schedules and use appropriate cleaning methods and products as instructed. Domestic staff are trained on proper dilution and use of disinfectants, the correct order of cleaning (e.g. clean to dirty areas), and the use of color-coded equipment (toilets/bathrooms vs. kitchens vs. general areas) to prevent cross-contamination. They ensure that all areas, especially high-risk zones like bathrooms, kitchens, and clinical rooms, are cleaned to a high standard. Housekeeping staff are responsible for safely handling soiled linens and waste according to our procedures (see below sections on laundry and waste). They report any issues such as pest sightings, or problems with equipment (e.g. vacuum or washing machine malfunction) to management immediately so that corrective action can be taken. The senior housekeeper or housekeeping supervisor works closely with the IPC Lead to address any cleaning deficiencies and to adapt routines if needed (for example, increasing cleaning frequency during an outbreak).
• Ancillary and Maintenance Staff: Other staff such as maintenance workers, kitchen staff, and activities personnel also have responsibilities to support infection control. Maintenance staff ensure that the premises and equipment are kept in good repair (since damaged surfaces or broken equipment can harbour germs or impede cleaning) and that ventilation, water systems, and other infrastructure are safe (e.g. managing Legionella risk). Kitchen staff follow food hygiene standards to prevent foodborne infections (see Food Hygiene section). Activities staff ensure shared equipment (craft supplies, games, etc.) are cleaned and that infection control is considered when planning group activities (e.g. avoiding crowding or ensuring hand hygiene during events). All ancillary staff also follow hand hygiene and PPE policies relevant to their tasks (for instance, maintenance workers using PPE if entering an isolation room for repairs).
• Safeguarding Lead – {{org_field_safeguarding_lead_name}} ({{org_field_safeguarding_lead_role}}): The Safeguarding Lead in our organisation monitors that our care practices, including infection control, do not compromise the welfare or dignity of residents. If poor infection control practice were to result in a resident being put at significant risk or actually coming to harm (for example, an avoidable serious infection outbreak due to negligence), the Safeguarding Lead would evaluate whether this triggers any safeguarding procedures. They ensure that any such incidents are investigated from a safeguarding perspective and reported to the local Safeguarding Authority if appropriate. The Safeguarding Lead also works with the IPC Lead and Manager to ensure that infection control measures are balanced with residents’ rights – for instance, during an outbreak, ensuring that necessary restrictions (like limiting visitors or group activities) are handled in a way that still respects residents’ needs and that prolonged isolation of individuals is avoided unless absolutely necessary (to prevent social harm). In summary, the Safeguarding Lead helps ensure infection control efforts support the overall safety and well-being of residents in a holistic manner.
• External Support and Advice: {{org_field_name}} does not currently have contracts with any external infection control advisors or agencies. However, we recognize the importance of external guidance, especially in complex situations. We maintain regular contact with our Local Authority ({{org_field_local_authority_authority_name}}) infection control and public health team and utilize the resources and guidance they provide (e.g. via the local authority’s IPC information portal: {{org_field_local_authority_information_link}}). If we have any concerns or need advice, we may reach out to the local authority’s infection control lead (Email: {{org_field_local_authority_authority_email}}, Tel: {{org_field_local_authority_phone_number}}) for support. Additionally, we will immediately contact our Local Health Protection Team (HPT) in the event of an outbreak or serious infection incident to get expert advice and support. The HPT can be reached at {{org_field_outbreaks_support_local_health_protection_team_phone_number}} (and via email at {{org_field_outbreaks_support_local_health_protection_team_email}}). We work collaboratively with external inspectors, auditors, and health professionals who may visit to review our infection control arrangements – any recommendations they provide are taken seriously and implemented promptly. Finally, while we do a great deal in-house, we stay informed about the latest NHS England and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) infection prevention and control guidelines, and update our practice accordingly.

Training and Competence

Proper training is essential to ensure that all staff can perform infection prevention and control tasks safely and effectively. We therefore have a comprehensive training programme:

• Induction Training: Every new employee (including temporary/agency staff, volunteers, etc.) receives infection prevention and control training as part of their induction before working unsupervised. This induction covers the basics of infection control: hand hygiene technique, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), waste segregation, handling of laundry, cleaning up spills, and recognizing infection symptoms. New staff are also introduced to this IPC Policy and must read it and sign to say they understand their responsibilities. We emphasize the importance of infection control from day one.
• Ongoing Training: All staff must attend annual refresher training in infection prevention and control. In addition, if there are updates to national guidance or if an audit identifies knowledge gaps, we provide interim training sessions or toolbox talks. For example, following the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented specific training on donning and doffing PPE for airborne precautions, COVID testing procedures, and enhanced cleaning/disinfection practices. Training materials are kept up-to-date with current best practices and any changes in regulation.
• Role-Specific Training: Certain roles require additional or specialized training:
  • Care Staff and Nurses: receive training on Standard Infection Control Precautions in detail (hand hygiene, PPE, safe handling of sharps, etc.), as well as Transmission-Based Precautions (e.g., what to do for an influenza outbreak vs. a norovirus case vs. COVID-19). Nursing staff get additional training on invasive device care (like catheter care to prevent UTIs, wound care to prevent infections) and antimicrobial stewardship – understanding appropriate antibiotic use to reduce the risk of resistant infections, which is now part of infection prevention effortsgov.ukgov.uk.
  • Housekeeping/Domestic Staff: receive detailed training on cleaning protocols, use of cleaning agents (including any COSHH training for chemicals), dealing with hazardous spills (blood, vomit, etc.), laundry processes, and waste management. They are trained to the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 framework, adapted for care homes, ensuring they know how to achieve and maintain high cleanliness standards.
  • Catering/Kitchen Staff: must hold up-to-date Food Hygiene certificates (Level 2 Food Safety at minimum) and are trained specifically on kitchen infection control – preventing cross-contamination, personal hygiene in food handling, cleaning of kitchen surfaces and equipment, and safe food storage. This meets the expectation that all relevant staff have completed food hygiene training where food is prepared.
  • Maintenance Staff: receive training on legionella prevention (e.g., flushing infrequently used water outlets, maintaining water temperatures), ventilation maintenance, and safe handling of any substances (like cleaning air conditioning units) that could affect infection control. They are also trained on PPE usage for maintenance tasks that might expose them to infection risks (for instance, fixing plumbing in an isolation room).
  • Management/Leadership: The Registered Manager and IPC Lead undertake advanced or external training as needed (for example, attending infection control lead courses, local authority workshops, or seminars on new IPC developments). This ensures they remain competent to oversee the program and train others.
• Competency Assessment: Training alone is not enough – we also assess staff competency:
  • New staff are observed by experienced mentors or supervisors initially to ensure they correctly perform tasks like handwashing and PPE removal. We use checklists (e.g., a hand hygiene competency checklist) to document their technique.
  • Periodic spot checks are conducted (for example, a senior staff might observe care staff during medication rounds to ensure they clean hands between residents, or observe if cleaners are following colour coding). Any deviations are corrected with immediate feedback and, if needed, additional coaching.
  • We may use tools like the NHS “Glow Germ” training (ultraviolet hand hygiene training) to assess thoroughness of handwashing in a fun, educational way.
  • Drills and scenarios: Occasionally we run scenarios, such as a pretend outbreak drill, to test staff response and reinforce training (e.g., how quickly and correctly do they isolate a “symptomatic” resident, do they know whom to notify, etc.).
  • The results of competency assessments are documented in each staff member’s training record. If a staff member is found not yet competent in an area, they will not be assigned that task unsupervised (for example, if a nurse is new and not yet competent in aseptic wound dressing technique, they will be supervised until they are assessed as competent).
• Promoting Awareness: We maintain visible reminders throughout the home as part of ongoing informal training – posters on handwashing are displayed by sinks, signs on proper cough etiquette, donning and doffing PPE posters in PPE stations, etc. We also provide regular updates via staff newsletters or briefings, especially after attending any external IPC updates or after an incident that provides learning points.

Our goal is to ensure all staff have the qualifications, skills, and experience to perform their duties safely with respect to infection control. Staff are encouraged to seek help or guidance if ever unsure or if asked to do something they feel unprepared for. By investing in comprehensive training and fostering an environment of continuous learning, we aim to keep our infection control knowledge and practice up-to-date and effective.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)

We adhere to the principle of Standard Infection Control Precautions in all care activities. These are the basic precautions that should be applied at all times, for all residents, regardless of whether an infection is known to be present. Consistent use of these precautions helps prevent the transmission of infectious agents that may be present but not yet detected. Our standard precautions include:

• Hand Hygiene: Proper handwashing is the single most important infection control measure. All staff are trained to decontaminate their hands frequently and effectively. The “5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” are observed (before touching a resident, before clean/aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after touching a resident, after touching resident surroundings). We provide hand hygiene facilities at strategic locations: sinks with soap and disposable paper towels in or near all care areas, alcohol-based hand sanitiser dispensers at the entrance, dining room, lounges, and nursing stations. Staff must wash hands with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or after using the toilet; otherwise, alcohol hand rub is an effective method for quick decontamination when hands are not visibly dirty. All staff, visitors, and residents (where able) are encouraged to clean their hands on entering and leaving the home. We have signage reminding everyone to perform hand hygiene. We also consider residents’ needs – for example, offering hand wipes or assistance with handwashing before meals and after using the toilet. Hand hygiene audits are conducted regularly to monitor compliance (the IPC Lead or other trained auditors observe a random sample of staff interactions and record whether hand hygiene was done at appropriate times). Audit results are used to provide feedback and target retraining if needed. We aim for at least 95% hand hygiene compliance on audits. Hand hygiene products are monitored to ensure continuous supply (running out of soap or gel is not acceptable – staff know to inform management immediately if stock is low). Note: During outbreaks of gastroenteritis (like norovirus), all staff are instructed to use soap and water rather than alcohol gel, since hand gel is less effective against some viruses – signage will be updated accordingly in such cases.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): We use PPE as a barrier to prevent exposure to infectious agents and to prevent spread from person to person. Gloves (disposable single-use) and aprons are worn for any tasks that involve a risk of contact with blood, body fluids, secretions/excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, or mucous membranes. For example, staff wear gloves and aprons when providing personal care involving toileting, handling soiled bedding or dressings, or cleaning up spills. Masks and eye protection (such as goggles or face shields) are worn if there is a risk of splashing to the face (e.g., when attending to a resident who is coughing excessively or during aerosol-generating procedures if any are done in the home). We follow current public health guidance on mask use; for instance, during periods of high respiratory virus circulation, staff may be required to wear surgical masks in resident areas as a general precaution. All PPE is of approved types (we procure medical-grade PPE that meets relevant standards). It is important that PPE is used correctly: staff are trained in the proper donning and doffing sequence to avoid self-contamination, and posters reminding them of the sequence are displayed (e.g., remove gloves, then apron, then perform hand hygiene, etc.). PPE is available at the point of use – e.g., gloves and aprons in dispensers near care rooms, masks available at entrances if needed, etc. We ensure PPE is disposed of safely after use (see Waste Management). Changing PPE between tasks and residents is mandatory – staff never wear the same gloves or apron for care of more than one resident and must remove and discard PPE (and do hand hygiene) when moving from a dirty task to a clean task even with the same resident. Visitors are also offered PPE (and shown how to use it) when visiting during an outbreak or when seeing a resident in isolation. We keep records of PPE stock and consumption; during times of increased need (e.g., an outbreak), we escalate procurement to avoid shortages. The IPC Lead or manager will enforce PPE compliance through observation and address any misuse (like wearing gloves inappropriately or not wearing required items).
• Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette: We promote good respiratory hygiene for both staff and residents. This includes the “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” message: cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (or your elbow/sleeve if no tissue immediately available) when coughing or sneezing, bin the tissue immediately, and then clean your hands. Tissues and hand gel are made readily accessible in common areas. We provide waste bins (preferably lidded, foot-operated) for tissue disposal in resident areas and ensure they are emptied regularly. Residents who can understand are encouraged and reminded to cover coughs/sneezes; for those who cannot (due to cognitive impairment), staff take extra care with PPE and cleaning of those residents’ environment during illness. If a resident has excessive respiratory secretions, we may provide them with a mask to wear if tolerated and appropriate (this can help contain droplets, though in practice frail residents may not tolerate masks, so we rely on staff PPE and distancing). During times like flu season or COVID waves, we may implement additional measures such as spacing in dining areas, using air purifiers, or cohorting to reduce respiratory virus spread. Education is given to residents and visitors in simple language about the importance of these measures (e.g., signs on the front door asking visitors not to enter if they have respiratory symptoms, and to use hand gel and consider wearing a mask when visiting during high-risk periods).
• Safe Handling of Blood and Body Fluid Spills: Spillages of blood, vomit, feces or other potentially infectious materials are cleaned up immediately by staff wearing appropriate PPE (gloves and apron, plus eye protection if splash risk). We have a spillage kit available that includes absorbent granules, disinfectant (e.g., a chlorine-releasing agent at 10,000ppm for blood spills), and tools for safe cleaning. Staff are trained to first isolate the area (prevent people from accidentally stepping in it), then put on PPE, remove any sharp objects with a device (never by hand directly), cover the spill with absorbent material or granules, then clean and disinfect the area as per procedure. Used materials (paper towels, etc.) are disposed of as clinical waste. The area is ventilated if strong disinfectants are used. After cleaning, staff remove PPE and perform hand hygiene. We record incidents of significant spills in our incident log to ensure proper follow-up (e.g., if a large blood spill occurred, we’d check that staff involved were up-to-date on Hepatitis B vaccination, etc., as a precaution).
• Sharps Safety: Although we are a care home (not a hospital), some nursing care may involve sharps (needles for insulin or injections, lancets for blood sugar tests, etc.). We strictly follow safe sharps practices to prevent needlestick injuries and possible blood-borne virus transmission. Sharps bins that conform to UN3291/BS standards are provided in any area where sharps are used (e.g., nurse’s medication trolley or treatment room). Staff are trained never to re-sheath needles and to place used sharps immediately into the sharps container. Sharps containers are kept out of reach of residents (especially those with cognitive impairment who might tamper with them) and are replaced when they reach the fill line (not overfilled). Filled containers are sealed and labelled and stored for collection as clinical waste. In the event of a sharps or needlestick injury, we have a clear protocol: provide immediate first aid (encourage the wound to bleed gently, wash with soap and water, cover with a dressing), report to the manager, seek occupational health or medical assessment as soon as possible (including considering post-exposure prophylaxis if the source is known or suspected high-risk), and record the incident. Such incidents are investigated to ensure lessons (if any) are learned (e.g., was the correct sharps disposal equipment in place, was the staff member distracted, etc.).
• Use of Aseptic Technique: For any clinical procedures that need to be done in the home (for example, wound dressings, catheter insertions, injection administration), staff use an aseptic technique to avoid introducing infection. This includes using sterile or clean technique as appropriate: washing hands, using sterile gloves for sterile procedures, disinfecting skin before injections, using sterile single-use dressings and instruments, and maintaining a clean field. We have specific guidelines for common procedures (e.g., a wound care protocol) which incorporate infection prevention steps. Only trained and competent staff (usually registered nurses) perform aseptic procedures.
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection: Keeping the environment clean is a foundational infection control practice. We have a documented cleaning schedule that covers all areas of the home and all shifts. For example, routine cleaning (daily) includes: cleaning of all bathrooms and toilets (at least once per shift and additionally as needed), cleaning of high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, call bells, bed rails, and handrails (at least daily, often twice daily for handrails), general dusting and damp wiping of surfaces in resident rooms and common areas, vacuuming/mopping of floors, and cleaning of dining areas and kitchens after each meal service. Detergent and water (or detergent wipes) are used for general cleaning, and disinfectants are used for high-touch surfaces and bathrooms (we typically use a chlorine-based disinfectant at appropriate ppm or a combined detergent/disinfectant solution compliant with NHS cleaning specifications). We ensure that cleaning methods follow the principle of working from clean to dirty (for instance, start cleaning a clean bedroom area before cleaning an en-suite that might be more contaminated; change cloths/mop heads between areas; do not use the same cloth for toilet and sink). We use color-coded cleaning equipment: e.g., red cloths and mops for bathrooms, blue for general areas, green for kitchens, etc., to avoid cross-use. Mops and cloths are laundered daily on a hot wash or are single-use disposable. Equipment cleaning: Items like hoists, wheelchairs, bath chairs, commodes, lifting slings are cleaned after each use (or at least daily if in continuous use by the same resident) with appropriate wipes or disinfectant. We keep logs of cleaning tasks as needed (for instance, housekeeping has checklists to tick off daily tasks, and a deep-clean schedule for more thorough cleaning of each resident’s room on rotation or after discharge). The CQC expects providers to have a cleaning schedule and trained cleaning staff, and to manage waste appropriately as part of maintaining safe premises, so we have instituted those measures.
• Clinical Waste and Linen (Laundry) Handling: These are addressed in dedicated sections below, but as part of standard precautions, all staff are reminded that used linen and waste can be infectious and must be handled with care every time (not just when we know someone has an infection). That means wearing gloves (and aprons for laundry) when handling soiled items, not hugging used linens (carry them away from your body), using the correct bags, and performing hand hygiene afterwards. We consider all used linen potentially contaminated and handle it per standard procedures.
• Patient/Resident Equipment: Many small items (like blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, commodes, shower chairs, etc.) can transmit infections if shared without cleaning. We assign dedicated equipment to individual residents whenever possible (for example, each resident ideally has their own mobility aids, their own wash bowl, etc.). If equipment must be shared or reused for another resident, it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses. We use single-use disposable covers or tips for devices like thermometers. Reusable care equipment is cleaned after each use and at regular intervals. For instance, commodes are disinfected after each use; re-usable hoist slings are washed between different users; mattresses are audited for any damage and routinely cleaned, including disinfection of mattress covers and bed frames when a resident is discharged or if the mattress is soiled. Toiletry items like creams or lotions are person-specific (no sharing between residents to avoid cross-contamination).
• Visitor Precautions: As part of standard precautions, we also encourage visitors to follow basic infection control practices. This includes using hand sanitiser on entry and exit, not visiting when they are unwell (especially with symptoms of flu, COVID-19, diarrhea/vomiting, etc.), and following any posted guidance (like wearing a mask if requested during outbreaks). We provide information in our entryway and on our website about our infection control expectations for visitors. If visitors, including external contractors or healthcare professionals, need to enter areas where additional precautions are in place, we ensure they are briefed (e.g., a district nurse changing a dressing on an isolated resident will be made aware of what PPE to wear, etc.).

By following these Standard Precautions consistently, we significantly reduce the baseline risk of infections in our home. These measures are in line with national guidelines (such as the Department of Health’s “Infection prevention and control in adult social care” resources and NICE guidelines) and form the foundation of our IPC strategy.

Additional Precautions for Specific Infections (Transmission-Based Precautions)

When a resident is known or suspected to have a specific infectious disease, or during an outbreak situation, we implement Transmission-Based Precautions on top of the standard precautions described above. These precautions are targeted to the way the particular infection spreads (e.g. contact, droplet, or airborne routes). Key measures include:

• Isolation (Contact/Droplet Precautions): A resident with symptoms of a potentially contagious infection (for example, diarrhoea and vomiting suggestive of norovirus, or respiratory symptoms with fever suggestive of influenza or COVID-19) will be promptly isolated to their own room. We ensure they have a dedicated toilet or commode. A sign may be placed on the door (discreetly) indicating any special precautions (e.g., “Please see staff before entering – infection precautions in place”). Staff entering the room must wear appropriate PPE – at minimum gloves and apron for contact precautions, and if respiratory droplets are involved, a fluid-resistant surgical mask as well. All equipment (thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, etc.) used for that resident is dedicated to them for the duration of isolation (or cleaned thoroughly after each use if it must be shared). We minimize the number of staff contacts by grouping care (assign specific staff to that resident, limit unnecessary entries). If feasible, one staff member or a small team will care for the infected resident(s) separately from others (this is cohorting of staff). Isolation continues until the resident is deemed non-infectious (e.g., 48 hours after last episode of vomiting/diarrhoea for norovirus; or as per current public health guidance for other diseases). We also isolate any asymptomatic carriers if advised (for example, during a COVID outbreak, even asymptomatic positives would be isolated).
• Cohorting: If multiple residents are affected during an outbreak and we do not have enough single rooms for everyone, we implement cohorting – grouping together those who are infected with the same pathogen in one area, and keeping the non-infected in another area. For instance, during a flu outbreak, we might designate one wing or one end of a corridor for “ill residents” and another for well residents. We close off communal mixing between these cohorts (no group activities mixing the two, separate staff if possible). Cohorting is done in consultation with public health advice and careful consideration of our layout. We understand that cohorting needs careful management to avoid cross-contamination, so clear boundaries and protocols are set. This strategy was used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., having a “hot zone” and “cold zone” within the home). Staff are preferably dedicated to one cohort and do not switch between them on the same shift. If staff must serve both cohorts (due to staffing constraints), they will always tend to the well residents first, then the infected group, and not go back without changing PPE and thorough hand hygiene and ideally a change of uniform.
• Airborne Precautions: For diseases that are truly airborne (small particles that stay in the air) – examples in a care home could be pulmonary tuberculosis, or during certain procedures for COVID-19, or perhaps chickenpox if we had a non-immune population – we would implement airborne precautions. In practical terms, we would ensure the resident is in a well-ventilated room, ideally a single room with door closed. Staff would wear FFP3 respirator masks (or at least FFP2 if FFP3 not available) when entering, in addition to eye protection, gloves, apron. We would restrict susceptible staff from entering (e.g., if a resident had suspected TB or chickenpox, staff who are pregnant or unvaccinated should ideally not provide care). We may use portable HEPA filter air purifiers to help clean the air if appropriate. Although these situations are rare in our setting, we are prepared with a small supply of respirator masks and have fit-tested relevant staff for them when required (or arrangements to get emergency supply via the HPT). We would also liaise immediately with public health for airborne diseases like TB for further guidance.
• Enhanced PPE and Hygiene During Outbreaks: In outbreak situations (e.g., several residents with confirmed COVID-19 or norovirus), all staff might be required to wear certain PPE throughout their shift or in certain areas. For example, during a COVID outbreak, we might enforce universal masking in the home, and use eye protection for all close contact care, given the risk of asymptomatic spread. We also intensify cleaning – increasing frequency of cleaning common touch points to multiple times a day, using higher-grade disinfectants, etc. Communal dining or group activities might be suspended to prevent congregation. We follow any specific Outbreak Management Toolkits provided by health authorities for particular infections (for instance, PHE/UKHSA often provides checklists for managing flu or norovirus outbreaks in care homes).
• Admissions and Transfers: If we are in active outbreak, we inform any hospitals or facilities if a resident needs to be transferred out (so they can take precautions), and we usually pause new admissions into the home (to avoid bringing in susceptible new people or spreading infection to new entrants). Conversely, when admitting or re-admitting a resident from hospital, we obtain information on any infections or colonisations (like MRSA, C. difficile) so that we can institute appropriate precautions on arrival. New admissions may be kept under a sort of “observation” period where we monitor for any symptoms in the first 48-72 hours. We have policies for screening new residents if applicable – e.g., some homes screen for MRSA or ask for a recent COVID test depending on current guidance.
• Visitor Restrictions and Guidance: During an outbreak or if a resident has a highly infectious disease, it may be necessary to limit or control visits. We never ban visits completely unless absolutely necessary (in line with residents’ rights), but we may advise that only essential visitors (e.g., family of a critically ill resident) come in, and encourage others to postpone visits until the outbreak is over. Visitors who do come during an outbreak are instructed on necessary PPE and hand hygiene, and we may restrict them to visiting only their relative’s room rather than communal areas. We communicate clearly with families about why these measures are needed. For example, during COVID-19 surges, we implemented booking systems for visits, outdoor or screen-separated visits when required, and provided virtual visiting options. We always try to strike a balance between infection control and residents’ emotional well-being by facilitating safe contact as much as possible.
• Staff Cohorting and Management: In a significant outbreak, we might assign specific staff teams to care for infected residents exclusively, to reduce spread (as mentioned). We also keep staffing consistent (avoid moving staff between multiple care homes, as that can spread infections between facilities, which we learned during COVID). If staff themselves are ill or have been exposed, we follow occupational health guidance: e.g., staff with diarrhoea/vomiting stay off work until 48 hours symptom-free; staff with respiratory symptoms or confirmed flu/COVID follow return-to-work criteria based on testing or symptom duration as per current health guidance. We encourage staff vaccination (flu, COVID, etc. – see next section) to reduce their risk and thereby protect residents.
• Environmental Measures: During outbreaks, increased ventilation is encouraged (weather permitting, open windows to improve air flow). We might dedicate specific toilets for use by infected individuals separate from others if possible. After an outbreak ends, we perform a thorough terminal clean (deep cleaning of all areas, including things like high level dusting, moving furniture, cleaning curtains/blinds, etc., often with a misting or fogging disinfection if appropriate, to ensure any lingering pathogens are eliminated).
• Documentation: We maintain careful documentation of who is affected, who is isolated, start and end dates of precautions, etc. This helps in managing the situation and also in reporting to authorities.

These transmission-based precautions are lifted only when it is deemed safe (e.g., a resident tests negative or symptoms resolve and any required exclusion period has passed, or an outbreak is declared over by public health officials). Throughout such periods, we ensure clear communication with staff so everyone knows what precautions are in place for which residents or areas.

By implementing these additional precautions, we aim to effectively contain and eliminate outbreaks or specific infection cases, thereby protecting other residents and staff from getting infected. Our procedures are guided by and in line with national public health guidance and have been refined by our experience and training (for instance, learning from managing respiratory outbreaks in recent years).

Clinical Waste Management

Managing waste safely is an important part of infection control. Our policy on waste handling is designed to comply with the HTM 07-01: Safe Management of Healthcare Waste guidelines and relevant environmental regulations. Key points include:

• Waste Segregation: We segregate waste at the point of use into the appropriate color-coded stream:
  • Clinical (Infectious) Waste: Anything that is or may be contaminated with infectious body fluids, pathogens or pharmaceutical waste goes into clinical waste. This includes used PPE (gloves, aprons, masks) from care activities, wound dressings, soiled disposable pads or incontinence products from an infected resident, blood-stained items, sharps containers, and any laboratory specimens. Yellow bags (or orange bags if required by our waste contractor for infectious waste destined for alternative treatment) are used for infectious waste. Sharps (needles, lancets, etc.) go into properly assembled yellow sharps bins (with appropriate colour coding for whether they contain medicines or just blood-contaminated sharps). These bins and bags are labelled and tied securely when 3/4 full.
  • Offensive/Hygiene Waste: This is waste that is not known to be infectious but is unpleasant and may include body fluids – for example, used incontinence pads from non-infectious residents, catheter bags, stoma bags, and hygiene waste from personal care. We use yellow/black striped bags (“tiger” bags) for this category. These items are segregated because, while not infectious per se, they require special disposal in landfill/incineration due to their nature.
  • Domestic Waste: General household-type waste (packaging, food waste not contaminated with body fluids, office waste, etc.) goes into black bags for regular refuse collection. Recyclables are separated as per local council policy (though care homes must ensure anything contaminated does not go into recycling).
  • Dental Waste, if any (e.g. amalgam) or other hazardous waste streams are handled per specific regulations, though these are not common in our setting.

Segregation is explained to all staff and strictly practiced – when in doubt, we treat as clinical waste to be safe. Proper segregation helps ensure waste is treated correctly and reduces risk of contamination.

• Waste Handling and Storage: Bins in use inside the home are foot-pedal operated where possible, to avoid hand contact. They are lined with the correct colour bag. Staff tie bags when 2/3 full or at least daily, and replace with a new bag. All waste bags must be labelled with the date, department/origin (e.g., “Room 10” or “Nursing office”) and tied securely. Filled waste bags and sharps containers are moved to the designated secure waste storage area – this is a well-ventilated, pest-secure cupboard/bin store away from resident areas. Clinical waste awaiting collection is kept locked away from public access (per the Environmental Protection Act duty of care). We have contracts with a licensed waste contractor who collects clinical waste on a regular schedule (and on call if we need extra collections, e.g., after an outbreak generating higher waste volume). The storage area is kept clean; any leaks or spills (like from a burst bag) are cleaned with appropriate disinfectant by staff in PPE. Sharps bins are never left around – once sealed they go straight to the secure area. We ensure waste is not stored for excessive periods; typically, clinical waste is collected every week. We maintain documentation (waste transfer notes and consignment notes for hazardous waste) for legal compliance.
• Staff Safety: Staff handling waste wear PPE – at least gloves and aprons, and for clinical waste possibly heavy-duty gloves if dealing with large amounts or if a bag has a tear. They are careful to never overfill bags and to avoid touching the outside of bags with contaminated gloves (technique: fold down edge of bag when adding waste, then fold up when sealing to keep outer surface clean). Hands must be washed after finishing waste handling. If a sharps injury or other accident occurs during waste handling, it is treated as an incident and followed up (with first aid and reporting, as mentioned in sharps section).
• Cleaning of Bins: Reusable bins (like large wheelie-bins or carts used to transport waste) are cleaned and disinfected periodically. Indoor waste bins are also cleaned regularly (e.g., washing out pedal bins in bathrooms). This prevents buildup of dirt and bacteria and reduces odours and pests.

By following these waste procedures, we prevent waste from becoming a source of infection or harm. This also ensures we comply with environmental health laws. CQC inspections include checking that clinical waste is managed and disposed of safely, and we have confidence our system meets those expectations (with evidence such as our waste contract and records of disposal).

Laundry and Linen Management

Laundry in a care home can pose infection risks if not handled properly, since used linens may be contaminated with microorganisms from residents (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi). Our laundry procedures follow national guidance including the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-04: Decontamination of linen for health and social care, which outlines best practices for handling, washing, and processing linen. Key elements of our linen policy:

• Segregation of Linen: We use a color-coded bag system for linen:
  • Red bags (alginate bags): For used/infected linen. If linen is soiled with blood or body fluids, or if it comes from a resident known or suspected to have an infection (e.g., COVID-19, C. diff, MRSA), it is placed in a red water-soluble alginate bag at the point of removal. This bag is then placed into a secondary plastic bag (usually white or clear) or a red plastic bag depending on our system, to ensure no leakage. The staff handling this wear gloves and apron. These linens will be washed in a disinfection cycle.
  • Blue bags: For used but not infected linen (soiled with routine perspiration, etc., but no visible soiling or known infection). Some homes use white bags; our home uses blue to distinguish from clear trash. This is generally all laundry that isn’t in the infected category.
  • Green bags (if applicable): We might use a different color for residents’ personal clothing to send to a family for washing, but generally most personal clothing we also launder in-house unless families choose to do so externally.

In practice, a laundry trolley on the unit may have sections or removable bags for each type. Staff are trained to immediately bag linen upon removal from a bed or person – never carry used linen uncovered through corridors. Do not place used linen on the floor or furniture; it goes straight into the appropriate bag. We also keep clean linen separate from any used linen handling areas at all times.

• Personal Protective Equipment for Laundry: Staff in the laundry room and care staff handling used linen wear disposable gloves and aprons. If sorting very soiled linen, they may also wear masks and eye protection (for example, linens heavily soiled with feces that might splash during loading into machine). Hand hygiene is done after handling dirty linen, even if gloves were worn.
• Washing Process: Our laundry machines have high-temperature cycles that meet disinfection standards. Infected linen (in red bags) is loaded into the machine without opening the soluble red bag – the bag dissolves in the wash releasing the contents. It is washed at either:
  • Thermal disinfection: e.g., ≥ 65°C for at least 10 minutes, or ≥ 71°C for at least 3 minutes (as per HTM 01-04), ensuring the machine reaches the required temperature and time. Our machines are programmed to achieve this for the designated cycles.
  • Or a chemical disinfection if low-temp washing is needed (some machines inject a disinfectant like peracetic acid or use an ozone process, but we primarily rely on thermal).

Non-infected linen is washed at standard cycles (usually 40-60°C depending on fabric) with detergent, but we typically still include a thermal disinfection stage for all bedding and towels as a precaution. Clothing that cannot tolerate high temperatures is washed on a lower temp with suitable detergents and then thoroughly dried (heat drying also helps reduce microbes).

We do not overload machines, as overloading can prevent proper cleaning. Each machine’s filter is cleaned regularly.

• Drying and Finishing: After washing, linens are tumble dried on high heat when fabric allows, which further aids in killing bacteria and dust mites and leaves items fully dry (damp items can breed mould). Personal clothing that may not be tumble-dried is hung in a clean airer space separate from dirty areas. We have an ironing/finishing process for items that need it (ironing also applies additional heat). Laundry staff ensure they have clean hands and wear clean attire when handling dried, clean linen.
• Storage of Clean Linen: Clean linen is stored in a designated clean linen room or cupboard, off the ground, in closed or covered shelves. We rotate stock (“first in, first out” for linen piles) to ensure no long-term storage that gathers dust. The clean linen area is separate from any dirty laundry collection point to prevent cross-contamination. Staff should only handle clean linen with clean hands (and ideally an apron if they are distributing linen to rooms). We discourage unnecessarily handling or trying on of linens to keep them clean until use.
• Distribution: When clean laundry is taken back to resident rooms, it is transported in clean containers or carts that are used only for clean linen. (Likewise, carts for dirty linen are not used for clean transport unless thoroughly disinfected). We often use disposable laundry bags for room-to-room distribution or dedicate cloth bags that are laundered regularly.
• Resident’s Personal Clothing: We label clothing to prevent mix-ups. Soiled personal clothes are handled similarly: put in a red bag if heavily soiled or from an infected case, otherwise in a regular bag. Families sometimes prefer to wash delicate items themselves – in such cases, we bag them separately and give to family with appropriate advice if needed (e.g., “this was soiled, wash separately on hot if possible”). However, most items we manage in-house to ensure proper hygiene standards.
• Laundry Room Cleanliness: The laundry area itself is considered a potentially contaminated area. We have a separation of “dirty” and “clean” zones in the laundry if space permits – one side where dirty linen is loaded, and another where clean comes out. Staff are careful to avoid clean laundry touching any surfaces in dirty area. The floors and surfaces in laundry are cleaned daily. Washing machines and dryers are cleaned (wiped down externally) and disinfected internally on maintenance schedules (some machines have self-disinfection cycles). Lint filters on dryers are cleaned to prevent malfunction and potential dispersal of dust.
• Contingency: If our machines fail or capacity is exceeded (like during a big outbreak generating lots of laundry), we have contingency plans such as using a backup local laundry service or accessing mutual aid from another facility, to ensure laundry does not pile up unwashed.

By following these laundry protocols, we greatly reduce the risk of transmitting infections via linens. Remember, microbes can survive on fabrics, so proper handling from dirty to clean is crucial. We train our staff that the laundry process is essentially a decontamination process – it’s not just about cleaning stains, but also about killing pathogens to protect our residents and staff.

Food Hygiene and Kitchen Infection Control

Although primarily a health and safety/food safety matter, food hygiene is included in our IPC considerations because foodborne illnesses (like salmonella, E. coli, norovirus) can seriously affect residents and spread within a care home. We ensure compliance with Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2013 and maintain good food hygiene practices:

• Kitchen Cleanliness: The kitchen is cleaned thoroughly every day. There are cleaning schedules for daily cleaning (work surfaces, floors, equipment after use), and deeper cleaning (e.g., defrosting and cleaning freezers, vent cleaning) weekly or monthly. We follow HACCP-based procedures (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) which include cleaning as a critical component. No one should enter the kitchen unnecessarily – access is restricted to kitchen staff and authorized persons to limit contamination.
• Food Storage: We keep foods at safe temperatures (refrigerators at 5°C or below; freezers -18°C or below; hot holding above 63°C). Fridge and freezer temperatures are logged at least daily. Dry goods are in sealed containers off the floor, rotated properly. We label and date all stored foods. Raw and cooked foods are stored separately (e.g., raw meat at bottom of fridge, vegetables separate from ready-to-eat items).
• Food Preparation: Kitchen staff practice excellent personal hygiene: wearing clean uniforms (changed daily), hair nets, no jewellery (except plain wedding band), and proper handwashing before handling food or after handling raw foods. Separate chopping boards and utensils are used for raw meat, cooked food, allergens, etc., to prevent cross-contamination. We have a color-coded system for chopping boards. All high-risk foods (like poultry) are cooked to the recommended core temperatures. We use probe thermometers to check cooking and reheating temperatures and sanitize the probe between uses.
• Catering Staff Health: Kitchen staff with any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhoea) or other infectious diseases must report to the manager and are not allowed to work until cleared (e.g., 48 hours after symptoms resolve for gastroenteritis). This prevents an ill food handler from contaminating food. We also ask that if anyone at home in their household has suspected food poisoning, the staff member should alert us for advice. Regular screening of kitchen staff isn’t routine, but vigilance on symptoms is key.
• Dining Areas and Food Service: Dining tables are cleaned and disinfected before meals. Residents are offered hand cleaning (or helped to wash hands) before meals to reduce ingestion of any hand-borne germs. Staff who assist residents with feeding must wash hands before and after, and wear appropriate PPE if needed (typically an apron when serving or assisting with food, and gloves if there is a specific need like a resident has a mouth infection – but generally gloves are not used for feeding to maintain dignity, unless necessary). After meals, tables, chairs (especially armrests), and any spilled food on floors are promptly cleaned.
• Monitoring and Inspection: We maintain at least a Food Hygiene Rating of 5 (top rating) from our local Environmental Health inspections, which reflects our high standards. We internally audit our kitchen hygiene regularly, and the IPC Lead may include kitchen observations in infection control audits (since a dirty kitchen could harbour pests or bacteria). The CQC also looks at food hygiene as part of the safe domain (KLOE S5.5 expects staff have food hygiene training and proper procedures in place), so we ensure those are demonstrable.
• Outbreak and Food: If there’s any indication an outbreak could be foodborne (e.g., multiple people vomiting – although often that’s norovirus person-to-person, we consider food too), we’d involve environmental health to investigate possible food causes. We keep samples of food (48-hour retention of samples of high-risk food is recommended practice in some places, so if needed for testing, we do that for any high-risk batch-cooked items).

Overall, our robust food hygiene practices help prevent infections like food poisoning and contribute to the general health of residents. This complements our infection control program by addressing another potential infection source.

Vaccination and Staff Health

Preventing infection also involves proactive health measures such as vaccination and health monitoring:

• Resident Immunisation: We support and facilitate residents in receiving recommended vaccinations. This includes the annual influenza vaccine for all residents (usually arranged each autumn, often via GP or on-site clinic), and the COVID-19 vaccination and boosters as recommended by health authorities. We also encourage pneumococcal vaccination for eligible residents (one-time vaccine for older adults to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia), shingles vaccine if within eligible age, and any other relevant vaccines (e.g., tetanus if history unknown, etc.). We keep records of each resident’s vaccination status. During outbreaks or if a new vaccine-preventable threat emerges, we liaise with GPs and public health to ensure residents are offered protection.
• Staff Immunisation: We strongly promote vaccination for staff as a means of protecting both themselves and the vulnerable people in our care (this is part of the concept of herd immunity in the home). Each year, we run a staff flu vaccination program – either on-site clinics (sometimes occupational health or local pharmacy comes to give jabs) or by reimbursing staff who get it at their GP or pharmacy. We aim for a high uptake of flu vaccine among staff. Similarly, we encourage staff to take the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters as recommended. While vaccination for staff may be voluntary (unless mandated by government regulations), we educate staff on its importance and try to make it easy and free for them. We keep a confidential log of staff vaccination uptake for planning purposes and to identify if certain individuals might need more support/education about it. Other vaccines: we ensure all staff have been offered Hepatitis B vaccination if their role might involve exposure to blood (like nurses, because of risk from sharps injuries). Most care home staff have minimal blood exposure, but Hep B is offered to those who want it or as per risk assessment. For any staff working with individuals with learning disabilities who may exhibit challenging behaviours like biting, Hep B is definitely recommended. We note staff’s tetanus is up to date (via OH or health questionnaires). Pregnancy and vaccines: pregnant staff are advised to get flu vaccine and we make accommodations to protect them from certain risks (e.g., not caring for residents with parvovirus or chickenpox if not immune).
• Staff Sickness Policy: We have a clear policy that staff must not come to work if they have symptoms of infectious illness that could be passed to residents. Specifically: if a staff member has vomiting or diarrhoea, they must stay off until 48 hours after last symptom (as per Public Health England guidance to reduce norovirus spread). If a staff member has confirmed influenza or COVID-19, they should remain off work for the recommended period (which may vary with current guidance; e.g., at least 5 days for COVID or until fever subsides, etc., in line with UKHSA advice). We encourage staff to report illnesses honestly and we do not penalize them for sick leave taken to protect residents (in line with good practice, we’d rather have short staffing than a sick person infecting others). We also advise staff on when they need medical clearance – e.g., if diagnosed with something like TB, they need occupational health clearance to return.
• Occupational Health and Surveillance: We maintain either an arrangement with an occupational health provider or use NHS services for things like staff exposure management. For example, if a staff member has an unexplained rash or infection that could be contagious (like scabies, or shingles, or measles), we refer them for assessment and only allow return when safe. We also sometimes conduct screening in specific scenarios: e.g., during a COVID outbreak we might do daily lateral flow tests on staff as recommended; or if there was a case of TB in the home, we’d coordinate TB screening for staff with public health. We keep confidentiality but ensure necessary precautions are taken.
• Residents’ Illness: On the resident side, we monitor closely for any early signs of infection. We check and record vital signs (temperature, etc.) if a resident seems off-colour. We have protocols for things like urinary tract infection signs, chest infections, etc., to get prompt medical review and treatment – treating infections quickly can prevent them from spreading (like treating a resident’s C. diff promptly can prevent others from exposure, etc.). We also cohort or isolate at the first suspicion of something contagious, as mentioned prior.

All these measures around immunisation and health contribute to a preventative approach – reducing the chance infections ever take hold in our environment.

Outbreak Management and Reporting

Despite best efforts at prevention, infections can still occur. Outbreak management is therefore a critical part of our IPC policy. An “outbreak” in a care home is typically defined as two or more linked cases of the same illness (for example, two or more residents with the same symptoms or diagnosis within a short period), or as otherwise defined by public health authorities for specific diseases (for instance, one case of certain serious diseases might be considered an outbreak and trigger investigation). Our approach to outbreaks is as follows:

• Detection: Early recognition is vital. Staff are trained to report unusual clusters of symptoms to the nurse in charge or manager immediately. For example, if two residents in the same unit develop vomiting overnight, that’s a red flag. We also track illness in a log; if we see an uptick in fevers, coughs, skin rashes, or GI symptoms, the IPC Lead/Manager looks for common links. Lab testing can confirm certain outbreaks (e.g., sending stool samples to confirm norovirus or a PCR test to confirm COVID-19), but we do not wait for confirmation to act.
• Immediate Containment Actions: At the first suspicion of an outbreak, we implement appropriate Transmission-Based Precautions (as detailed earlier) to contain spread. This often includes isolating affected residents, using full PPE for care in affected areas, extra cleaning of those areas, and restricting movement (e.g., stopping group activities or dining for that unit). We also reinforce hand hygiene rigorously for everyone. For respiratory outbreaks, we might cohort residents and use masks universally; for GI outbreaks, we emphasize soap-and-water handwashing and dedicate toilets/commodes.
• Notification of Authorities: We are required to inform certain external bodies about outbreaks:
  • Local Health Protection Team (HPT): We will contact our HPT at {{org_field_outbreaks_support_local_health_protection_team_phone_number}} (and email {{org_field_outbreaks_support_local_health_protection_team_email}}) as soon as we suspect an outbreak of a significant infectious disease (e.g., flu, COVID-19, food poisoning, scabies, norovirus, etc.). The HPT provides expert guidance and may declare an official outbreak. They will advise on control measures, testing, and whether to send specimens to a lab. Early notification is part of our duty; “sharing concerns with appropriate agencies promptly” is something CQC expects and we adhere to that.
  • Local Authority Public Health/Infection Control: We also inform the {{org_field_local_authority_authority_name}} public health department or infection control nurse (contact via {{org_field_local_authority_phone_number}} or as directed by our local outbreak plan). Often the HPT and LA coordinate, but we ensure the LA is aware, especially if the outbreak could have implications for the wider community or requires environmental health input (e.g., suspected foodborne outbreak). The local authority may offer support such as sending an IPC nurse to visit or providing emergency supplies (as seen in COVID).
  • Care Quality Commission (CQC): We submit a statutory notification to CQC about any outbreak of infectious disease that affects the service. CQC’s regulations (Regulation 18 of Registration Regs) require notification of “incidents which affect the health, safety and welfare of people who use services,” and this includes outbreaks of serious illnesses. We fill out the form detailing the circumstances and measures taken. We do this promptly (within the required timeframe, usually without delay).
  • General Practitioner (GP) and Other Health Services: We keep our residents’ GPs informed, especially because they might need to prescribe treatments (antivirals in a flu outbreak, for example) or they might get calls from families. If multiple residents are ill, we may arrange a GP visit to review them or get telephone advice. If a resident needs hospital transfer, we ensure the hospital is informed about the outbreak (so they can isolate the patient on admission to avoid bringing infection to the hospital).
  • Relatives: While not “authorities,” informing relatives is a part of transparent communication. If an outbreak is declared, we usually send out a notice or call primary contacts for residents to let them know what’s happening, what we are doing, and any impact on visitation or routine. This manages anxiety and ensures cooperation with any visitation restrictions. We do this in a way that maintains privacy (we don’t name individuals, just say “some of our residents have developed [symptoms], and we are managing an outbreak of [e.g., norovirus].”).
• Collaboration with HPT: Once the health protection team is involved, we collaborate closely. The HPT might ask us to complete an “Outbreak Questionnaire” or surveillance form, keep line lists of symptomatic people (onset times, etc.), and update them daily or as agreed. They might declare the home closed to admissions and transfers until cleared. They may also facilitate testing: e.g., arrange for test kits or have environmental health collect samples if foodborne. We follow all their recommendations (they could advise on grouping residents, antiviral prophylaxis for flu, additional cleaning like using a particular disinfectant, or even bringing in agency staff if our staffing is low due to illness, etc.).
• Documentation during Outbreak: We keep a dedicated Outbreak File or log, where we note each case, their symptoms and onset dates, who is isolated, staff sickness related to it, communications made, etc. This helps in tracking and is useful for final analysis. It also serves as evidence to CQC or others that we managed it properly.
• Outbreak Control Measures: Depending on the type of outbreak, measures can include:
  • Suspending group activities and communal dining to avoid congregation.
  • Implementing full PPE for all resident care if the outbreak is widespread.
  • Increasing cleaning frequency of high-touch areas to several times a day; using specific disinfectants effective against the pathogen (e.g., bleach 1000ppm for norovirus on surfaces, etc.).
  • Ensuring cohorting of staff (keeping the same staff with the same group of residents).
  • Restricting admissions or readmissions (if a resident is in hospital and ready to come back but we are in outbreak, we communicate with hospital to possibly delay until safe).
  • Possibly using antiviral medication: e.g., if we have a confirmed influenza outbreak, with HPT guidance we might give antiviral prophylaxis (like oseltamivir) to exposed but not yet ill residents to help protect them, and treat those who are ill.
  • Hydration and nutrition for sick residents, monitoring closely for dehydration or decline (which can happen quickly in frail people with infections). We might start fluid balance charts, give rehydration solutions for norovirus, etc., to mitigate the outbreak’s impact.
  • If staffing levels drop due to staff illness, we activate contingency staffing plans (asking part-time staff to do extra shifts, using bank or agency staff, etc.) to ensure care continues safely. We inform the HPT if care might be compromised; they can sometimes assist or advise on mutual aid.
• Outbreak Resolution: An outbreak is typically considered over when a period has passed with no new cases – often 48 hours after the last new case for norovirus, or 14 days after last case for COVID, etc., depending on disease and HPT advice. Once we hit that point, we do a final deep clean of the entire home (if not already done sequentially). This includes laundering of all linens (even unused bedding in rooms may be done), cleaning all rooms thoroughly, and changing items like toothbrushes of affected residents (for some infections). We inform the HPT and CQC that outbreak is resolved. We resume normal routines (gradually re-opening to visitors, admissions, group activities) as advised.
• Debrief and Lessons Learned: After an outbreak, the IPC Lead and Manager conduct a review. We ask questions: How did it start (was there a way to prevent it, e.g., should we have stopped a visitor who had symptoms, or did it come from hospital, etc.)? How effective were our measures – did everyone follow the protocol, were supplies adequate? What feedback do staff have (maybe they felt a certain practice was hard to implement, etc.)? We then update our policies or training if needed. For example, after COVID waves, many care homes updated their standard protocols to permanently include things like stockpiling some PPE or having an outbreak kit ready. We make sure to integrate any improvements identified.
• Recording and Notification Closure: We ensure all required documentation is completed. A final outbreak report may be created and filed. If any resident deaths occurred related to the outbreak, those are notified appropriately (to CQC, possibly via safeguarding if lapses contributed, and to the registrar as needed for death certification).

By responding swiftly and systematically to outbreaks, we aim to minimize the impact (both in number of people affected and severity of outcomes) and stop the outbreak as soon as possible. Our outbreak management aligns with CQC expectations that providers “alert the right external agencies to concerns” when infections affect people’s health, and that we have plans to respond effectively to such events.

(For specifics on certain illnesses, see our Outbreak Management Plan document which provides detailed checklists for common scenarios like norovirus, flu, etc., and is kept with this policy.)

Environment and Equipment Management

Maintaining a safe and clean physical environment and properly managing care equipment are integral to infection control. Key practices include:

• Premises Design and Maintenance: We ensure that our premises are kept in good repair and fit for purpose. Surfaces in clinical areas (like the medication room, bathrooms, sluice) are impervious, smooth, and easy to clean. Any damage (chipped paint, cracked tiles, torn mattress covers) is reported and repaired or replaced promptly, as such damage can harbour germs or prevent effective cleaning. We schedule regular maintenance checks – for example, checking sealants in showers for mould, ensuring there are no plumbing leaks (standing water can breed bacteria). Regulation 15 requires premises to be clean and properly maintained, with appropriate hygiene standards, so our maintenance plan actively addresses that. We also consider layout – e.g., placement of hand gel dispensers, accessible sinks – to support good IPC practice.
• Water Safety (Legionella control): We have a Water Safety Plan to prevent Legionella (the bacterium that can cause Legionnaires’ disease) and other waterborne pathogens. The water system is risk assessed by professionals periodically. As part of routine, our maintenance staff (or contractor) does:
  • Monthly water temperature checks (hot water is stored at ≥60°C and distributed at ≥50°C, and cold water is <20°C, to be outside Legionella growth range).
  • Flushing of any infrequently used outlets at least weekly (taps, showers in rooms not currently occupied, etc.).
  • Shower heads and hoses are descaled and disinfected quarterly.
  • The hot water tank (calorifier) may be periodically pasteurized (heating to a high temp) or tested for Legionella as needed.

Records of these checks are kept. If any concerning results appear, we take remedial action (like chlorine dosing or professional disinfection of system). Legionella is a particular risk in care homes due to susceptible population, so we remain vigilant.

• Air Quality and Ventilation: Good ventilation reduces risk of airborne transmission of infections (like COVID-19, flu, TB, etc.) and also prevents dampness and mold growth. We ensure that extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens are working and clean. Windows can be opened and we encourage airing of rooms regularly. In colder months, we balance ventilation with comfort by perhaps opening windows for short periods frequently. We have CO2 monitors in some areas to gauge air freshness (if CO2 is high, we increase ventilation). If any area is poorly ventilated and used for group activities, we consider using an air purifier with HEPA filter as an adjunct. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas, not indoors, which also helps overall air quality.
• Cleaning Equipment and Products: The tools we use to clean (mops, cloths, cleaning solutions) are themselves managed to prevent spreading contamination. We use microfibre cloths in some cases for effective cleaning. Reusable cloths/mops are washed in the laundry at high temp daily. We have different colours as noted. Vacuum cleaners are equipped with HEPA filters ideally, and those filters are cleaned/replaced per manufacturer schedule (to avoid blowing dust). We ensure cleaning products (detergents, disinfectants) are appropriate for healthcare – e.g., chlorine releasing tablets or solution that can make 1,000ppm and 10,000ppm chlorine for disinfection, or combined detergent-disinfectant products that meet BS EN 14476 (virus killing) for general use. These are stored safely (locked cupboard, COSHH assessments done). Staff are trained in correct dilutions (we often use dosing devices or tablets to simplify mixing). The efficacy of cleaning depends on using the right product at right concentration for right contact time; we supervise and reinforce this.
• Medical Devices and Care Equipment: All medical devices (for example, blood glucose monitors, blood pressure cuffs, nebulizers, etc.) are cleaned and maintained. We have manufacturer’s instructions and we follow those for cleaning and servicing. If an item is single-patient use, we label it with the resident’s name and do not use it on others. If single-use (disposable), it is never reused – we dispose after one use. Reusable items like commodes or shower chairs are a known source of outbreaks (e.g., if not cleaned norovirus can linger). Thus, after each use by a resident, staff clean the commode with a chlorine-based disinfectant or appropriate wipe. We schedule periodic deep cleaning of equipment too (e.g., all wheelchairs get a monthly thorough clean in addition to spot cleans). For any equipment that could aerosolize water (like humidifiers, or in-room aircon units), we maintain and clean them to prevent bacterial growth. For example, if we had a hydrotherapy pool (not typical in care homes, but say a jacuzzi bath) – that would have strict disinfection protocol.
• Sluice / Dirty Utility: Our home has a sluice room (dirty utility room) equipped for safe disposal of body fluids and cleaning of care equipment. We have either a bedpan washer/disinfector or macerator for disposable bedpans. Staff are trained to use this equipment properly (loading, what can and cannot go in, etc.). The sluice also contains a sink for cleaning equipment, a hopper for disposing fluids, and clinical waste bin. We maintain this room’s cleanliness; it’s cleaned daily and after any spills. It is a restricted area due to hazardous materials. Having this facility ensures that cleaning of soiled items is done away from resident areas, reducing infection risk.
• Pest Control: We have a contract with a pest control service for routine checks (e.g., for rodents, insects). Kitchen areas are especially monitored. Pest entry points are sealed where possible. Insects like flies are controlled by fly screens and electronic fly killers in kitchens. We treat any pest sighting immediately because pests can carry infections.
• Infection Control Audit of Environment: The IPC Lead does rounds to inspect the environment with an “infection control eye” – checking things like: Are there any dust buildups? Is clutter minimized (clutter makes cleaning hard)? Are mattresses and cushions intact and clean? Is hand gel available and not expired? Are toilet brushes clean or need replacing? This helps catch any environmental issues early. We document these rounds and remediate issues quickly.

Our goal in environment and equipment management is to have a clean, well-maintained setting with minimal risk of environmental transmission of pathogens. When the CQC inspects, they will specifically assess if the home is kept clean and if premises/equipment are in good order to prevent infection – our rigorous approach ensures we can demonstrate that.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance

To ensure that infection prevention and control measures are consistently applied and effective, we have a robust system of monitoring, audit, and quality assurance:

• Regular Audits: The Infection Control Lead (or a designated competent person/team) conducts routine audits, including:
  • Environmental Cleanliness Audits: Using a standard checklist (often based on the NHS cleanliness standards or our own adaptation), we inspect various areas of the home for cleanliness. This might be done monthly or more often in higher risk areas. We look at random rooms, communal areas, kitchen, sluice, etc., checking surfaces, equipment, and also checking cleaning records. We document scores or findings and identify any areas for improvement.
  • Hand Hygiene Audits: As mentioned, we do direct observation audits periodically. We may also use other methods like checking usage of hand sanitiser (monitoring if dispensers need refilling as expected for level of activity – unusually low use might indicate non-compliance). Results are fed back to staff (often anonymized or in aggregate, unless someone needs personal feedback/coaching). We strive to create competition in a fun way, e.g., reward units with highest compliance.
  • PPE Use Audits: The IPC Lead or nurses might observe a staff member donning/doffing PPE or just spot-check if PPE is readily available and being used correctly. We’ve also done audits like ensuring bare below the elbows (no long sleeves, no watches, etc. among staff) to facilitate good hand hygiene, which is often part of inspection.
  • Waste and Laundry Audits: Periodically check that waste bins are correctly labelled and not overfilled, that laundry handling is correct (maybe a surprise check in laundry to see if sorting is correct and machines are at right temps, etc.). We might use a tool or the local IPC team’s audit template.
  • Care Practice Audits: For example, a catheter care audit (ensuring catheter bags are dated, being emptied appropriately with separate jugs, etc.), or a wound infection audit (ensuring wound care plans have appropriate infection control statements). This ties IPC into clinical practice auditing.
  • We use standardized audit tools where possible. Some are available via NICE or other resources. We could also engage external auditors (like some homes invite their local IPC nurse to do an audit annually for an external perspective).
• Audit Feedback and Action Plans: Audit findings are reviewed by the Registered Manager and IPC Lead. Good practices are commended, and any non-compliance or suboptimal findings lead to an action plan. For example, if an audit finds that commodes weren’t consistently labelled as clean/dirty, we’ll implement a tagging system and re-train staff. If cleanliness in hard-to-reach areas (like high shelves) was an issue, we schedule a deep clean and remind housekeeping. Each action is given an owner and timeline, and follow-up audits check that improvements have been made.
• Incident Monitoring: We keep track of infection-related incidents. This includes:
  • All infections in residents (we often have an “infection register” capturing UTIs, chest infections, wounds, etc., whether acquired in the home or not). This helps identify any trends (e.g., an increase in UTIs might prompt a review of catheter care or hydration routines).
  • Antibiotic use: We monitor how often antibiotics are prescribed for our residents and for what. This is part of antimicrobial stewardship. If certain residents have recurrent infections, we investigate causes (e.g., is their catheter being managed properly?).
  • Any hospital-acquired infections residents come back with (like if someone returns from hospital with MRSA or C. diff, we manage it but also note it to see if we need to be more cautious with admissions).
  • Staff sickness rates due to infection (as an indicator – if staff colds and flu are very high, did many skip flu jabs? Do we need better sick policy enforcement? etc.).
• CQC Compliance Checks: We prepare for the fact that CQC inspectors will request evidence of our IPC measures. For example, under the new framework, they might ask for:
  • Proof of cleaning schedules and records.
  • Training records for IPC training.
  • Risk assessments related to infection control.
  • Policies (this document).
  • Audits performed and resulting action plans.
  • Outcomes of any IPC inspections or visits (like local authority visits).
  • How we have managed any outbreaks (they may specifically ask about COVID measures in recent times, etc.).
    To this end, our quality assurance file includes all these documents, readily available. We also might use the CQC infection prevention control self-assessment tool or checklist (CQC had a specific IPC inspection tool during the pandemic covering areas like shielding, admissions, etc. – we ensure we cover those eight areas: visitors, shielding, admissions, PPE, testing, environment, staffing, policies in our self-assessment and here in this policy).
• Governance Meetings: Infection control is part of our governance. We discuss IPC at staff meetings, but also at management reviews. If we have a clinical governance committee or similar (for larger providers), IPC would be a standing item. We share data like number of infections, audit results, training compliance, etc., and management provides oversight and resources if needed for improvement. Regulation 17 (Good governance) expects providers to monitor and mitigate risks systematically, and our IPC governance is one way we do that.
• Resident Involvement and Feedback: Where possible, we involve residents in maintaining a safe environment. For example, resident meetings might include reminders or discussions about infection control (like asking residents how they feel about staff wearing masks – taking that feedback into account for communication; or residents might point out things like “Sometimes the lounge toilet isn’t clean” which is valuable feedback to act on). We treat complaints or comments related to cleanliness or infection risks very seriously and respond immediately.
• External Reviews: We welcome periodic external reviews. The local Infection Control Team (often part of the NHS or LA) may come for inspection/assessment – we treat their recommendations as gold standard. Also, we may compare our practices to NICE quality standards (for example, NICE QS61 expects “organisations have a strategy for continuous improvement in IPC, including accountability and multi-agency working” – which we do by having a lead and contacting external agencies as needed). If any new guidance is released (like updated PHE guidelines for care homes), the IPC Lead updates our practices accordingly.
• Documentation: We maintain an IPC file or folder (physical or digital) containing all our IPC documentation: the policy, training records, risk assessments (e.g., an annual statement of infection control which some homes do summarizing the year’s activities), audit results, action plans, outbreak reports, cleaning schedules, etc. This not only helps us stay organized but also is useful during inspections or quality audits.

By actively monitoring and auditing our infection control practices, we ensure that standards are met consistently and problems are identified and rectified promptly. This continuous loop of checking and improving helps us maintain a high level of infection prevention, aiming for outcomes such as low rates of infection among residents, timely containment of any outbreaks, and strong confidence from residents, families, and regulators in our service’s safety.

Policy Review and Updates

This Infection Prevention and Control Policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if required by changes in legislation, guidance, or significant learning from incidents. The Registered Manager ({{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}) in conjunction with the Infection Control Lead ({{org_field_infection_control_lead_name}}) is responsible for ensuring the review takes place.

During a review, we will:

• Update any references to legislation or guidance (for example, if the Dept of Health issues new guidelines, or if CQC KLOEs are modified, etc.).
• Evaluate if our procedures are still adequate or if new best practices (e.g., new disinfection technologies or vaccination recommendations) should be adopted.
• Incorporate feedback from staff and residents.
• Re-assess any risk assessments related to IPC.

Any changes made will be documented, and staff will be notified/trained on them. We keep archived versions of previous policies for reference.

We also perform ad hoc updates if interim changes are needed. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic we had multiple rapid updates to incorporate new visiting rules or testing protocols. In such cases, we communicate changes via memos and re-issue the relevant section of the policy without waiting for the annual cycle.

The policy is approved by senior management and forms part of our mandatory reading for all staff. New staff receive the policy as part of induction, and all staff are expected to stay familiar with it. The policy is available to staff at all times (in the nurse’s office/staff room and on the intranet if available). It’s also available to residents or relatives on request, supporting transparency.

By maintaining this policy as a living document, we ensure that our infection prevention and control approach remains current, effective, and in full compliance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

References and Guidance:

We have drawn on the following key references in developing our Infection Prevention and Control Policy (to ensure it meets all required standards and best practices):

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 12 – Safe care and treatment (includes requirements to prevent and control infection); Regulation 15 – Premises and equipment (requires cleanliness and appropriate hygiene in premises/equipment); Regulation 17 – Good governance (requires risk assessment and monitoring of service quality, including infection risks). These are part of the Fundamental Standards that our service must meet.
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) Single Assessment Framework and IPC guidance:
  We use CQC’s Single Assessment Framework, focusing on the Safe – Infection prevention and control quality statement and associated evidence prompts, to shape our IPC arrangements. We also use CQC’s published IPC resources for adult social care (including the inspection questions and prompts for infection prevention and control in care homes) to review our practice and prepare for inspection. This ensures that our IPC policy and day-to-day practice reflect how CQC currently assesses services. Care Quality Commission
• Department of Health and Social Care – Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (2022). This statutory Code (often called the “Hygiene Code”) outlines 10 criteria for IPC, including management systems, environment cleanliness, antimicrobial use, training, etc. We have aligned our policy with these criteria, such as having an IPC Lead, appropriate policies, and audit programmes.
• National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) for England (NHS England):
  We use the National IPC Manual for England to standardise our IPC practice and to support compliance with the 10 criteria in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. Where relevant, our procedures (for example hand hygiene, use of PPE, decontamination of equipment and environmental cleaning) follow the NIPCM standard operating procedures. NHS England
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Quality Standard QS61 on Infection Prevention and Control (which emphasizes an organisational approach and continuous improvement in IPC) and relevant NICE guidelines (e.g., NG: Prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection in primary and community care). These informed our standard precautions and training emphasis.
• Health and Safety Legislation: COSHH Regulations 2002 (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) – ensuring safe use of cleaning chemicals and disinfectants; RIDDOR 2013 – we report any occupationally acquired serious infections as required; Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – duty to protect staff and others (this underpins risk assessments and safe systems of work for IPC).
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) guidance: We follow current UKHSA and DHSC infection prevention and control guidance for adult social care, including “Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings” (most recently updated 1 March 2024) and the “Infection prevention and control in adult social care: acute respiratory infection (ARI)” guidance (2024). Our visiting policy, PPE use, outbreak measures and respiratory infection precautions are based on this guidance and any subsequent updates. We also use UKHSA disease-specific guidance (for example on norovirus, scabies and other communicable diseases) when managing individual cases and outbreaks. gov.uk
• HTM (Health Technical Memoranda): HTM 01-04 for laundry and HTM 07-01 for waste management, as well as HTM 04-01 for water safety (Legionella control) and others on decontamination of equipment. We have incorporated the recommended practices from these technical guidelines in our laundry and waste sections.
• Food Standards: Food Standards Agency guidance and the Food Safety Act 1990 & Food Hygiene Regulations 2013 – ensuring our kitchen operates safely to prevent infections (reflected in our food hygiene section).
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN) guidance: Essential Practice for IPC – which provides practical advice for staff, reinforcing many of the measures we described (like hand hygiene and standard precautions).
• Local Policies: We also ensure consistency with any specific requirements or tools provided by our local authority or Clinical Commissioning Group (e.g., local infection control policies, audit tools, or reporting protocols). For example, our local authority’s infection control team’s guidance ({{org_field_local_authority_information_link}}) and contact details are included for quick reference.
• Records of Past Incidents/Audits: Internal reports such as our last outbreak report or recent IPC audit have been referenced internally to improve this policy.

All staff are expected to be familiar with this policy and the above guidance documents (accessible via links or in our resource files). By following this policy, {{org_field_name}} aims to ensure a safe, infection-free environment as far as possible, in line with the fundamental standards of quality and safety and our commitment to our residents’ health and well-being.

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