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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Infection Outbreaks Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a structured approach to preventing, managing, and containing infection outbreaks within {{org_field_name}}. Ensuring a high standard of infection control is critical to safeguarding service users, staff, and the wider community. This policy aligns with regulatory requirements and best practices to mitigate risks associated with communicable diseases and outbreaks.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, agency staff, volunteers, service users, visitors, and any third parties involved in the delivery of domiciliary care. It covers:

• Infection prevention strategies.
• Early detection and reporting of outbreaks.
• Response measures to contain and manage outbreaks.
• Staff responsibilities and training.
• Compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy aligns with the following legislation and regulatory requirements:

• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – Regulation 12 requires providers to assess the risk of, prevent, detect and control the spread of infections, including those that are healthcare associated.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) – Requires risks from exposure to hazardous substances, including biological agents, to be appropriately assessed and controlled.
• Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 – Provides the statutory framework for measures relating to the prevention and control of infectious diseases and other threats to public health.
• Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010, as amended, including by the Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 – Sets out statutory requirements for the notification of specified infectious diseases by registered medical practitioners and specified causative agents by diagnostic laboratories.
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018, as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 – Governs the lawful, secure and confidential processing and sharing of personal and health information.
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards – Includes requirements relating to safe care and treatment, infection prevention and control and effective governance.

{{org_field_name}} will also have regard to applicable statutory infection prevention and control guidance and current public health advice when managing suspected or confirmed outbreaks.

4. Infection Prevention and Control Measures

To minimise infection risks, {{org_field_name}} implements the following preventative strategies:

• Hand Hygiene: Staff must follow the ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’ and use alcohol-based hand rubs when washing facilities are unavailable.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves, masks, aprons, and eye protection must be used based on risk assessments.
• Cleaning and Disinfection: Frequently touched surfaces (door handles, handrails, medical equipment) must be disinfected regularly using approved cleaning agents.
• Respiratory Hygiene: Staff and service users are encouraged to follow ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ guidance for coughs and sneezes.
• Waste Management: Clinical and hazardous waste must be disposed of safely in line with waste regulations.
• Vaccinations: Staff are encouraged to keep up to date with immunisations, including flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

5. Early Detection and Reporting of Infection Outbreaks

All staff must remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of infectious illness and for patterns that may indicate an outbreak. These may include:

• Fever, cough, breathing difficulties or other respiratory symptoms.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Unexplained rashes or skin changes.
• A sudden increase in similar symptoms among service users or staff.
• Any other unusual pattern of illness that may indicate transmission of an infectious disease.

Where an infection or potential outbreak is suspected, staff must act promptly.

Staff must:

1. Immediately report the concern verbally to the Registered Manager or Infection Control Lead.
2. Inform the Registered Manager by email:
   {{org_field_registered_manager_email}}
3. Contact the office and inform the Registered Manager or Infection Control Lead:
   {{org_field_phone_no}}
4. Where necessary, use the out-of-hours contact number:
   {{org_field_out_of_hours}}
5. Record relevant symptoms, observations and actions taken in accordance with the organisation’s recording procedures.

Service users showing symptoms of infectious illness must be appropriately supported and referred to a healthcare professional where assessment or treatment is required.

Where a notifiable disease is suspected, {{org_field_name}} will support appropriate escalation to the relevant healthcare professional and will co-operate with statutory notification and public health arrangements. Under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010, as amended, registered medical practitioners have statutory responsibilities for reporting suspected notifiable diseases, while diagnostic laboratories have separate statutory reporting responsibilities for specified causative agents.

Where an outbreak or suspected outbreak requires public health advice or notification, the Registered Manager or designated person will contact the relevant UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Health Protection Team or other local infection prevention and control service, as appropriate.

Staff must follow any outbreak management, testing, exclusion from work, infection prevention, PPE or other control measures advised by UKHSA, healthcare professionals or the relevant infection prevention and control team.

Staff who develop symptoms of an infectious illness must inform their manager promptly and must not attend work where doing so would place service users or colleagues at avoidable risk. Any exclusion from work or return-to-work arrangements will be based on the infection concerned and current public health guidance.

6. Outbreak Response and Management

Upon confirmation of an outbreak, the following actions will be taken:

• Isolation & Cohorting: Service users with symptoms should be cared for separately to prevent transmission.
• Enhanced Cleaning Regime: Increased frequency of deep cleaning in affected areas.
• Staff Allocation: Minimise staff movement between affected and non-affected individuals.
• Communication Plan: Inform service users, families, and relevant authorities while ensuring confidentiality.
• Emergency PPE Deployment: Ensure all staff have immediate access to necessary PPE.
• Testing and Monitoring: Staff and service users may be required to undergo testing as advised by health authorities.
• Review of Infection Prevention Protocols: Assess and reinforce all control measures to prevent escalation.
• Reporting to Local Health Protection Team: {{org_field_outbreaks_support_local_health_protection_team_website}}

7. Staff Responsibilities and Training

All employees are responsible for upholding infection control standards. Specific responsibilities include:

• Management Team:
  • Ensuring infection control policies are up to date.
  • Providing necessary PPE and training.
  • Coordinating with public health authorities in case of an outbreak.
  • Ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Care Workers:
  • Following standard infection prevention procedures.
  • Reporting symptoms or exposure immediately.
  • Using PPE appropriately and maintaining hygiene standards.
  • Supporting service users in following hygiene protocols.
• Training:
  • Induction training includes infection prevention and outbreak management.
  • Ongoing refresher training provided annually.
  • Specialised training for handling outbreaks of infectious diseases.

8. Communication and Information Sharing

Effective communication is key to managing an outbreak. The organisation will:

• Provide service users and their families with clear information on infection control measures.
• Maintain open communication with local health authorities and CQC.
• Ensure timely updates are provided to staff regarding outbreak status and response measures.
• Protect sensitive health information in compliance with GDPR regulations.

9. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

To ensure the effectiveness of infection control measures:

• Regular audits of infection prevention practices will be conducted.
• Incident reports will be reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Feedback from staff and service users will be used to refine policies and training.
• Policy review conducted annually or sooner in response to emerging risks or regulatory changes.

10. Compliance with Regulatory Bodies

{{org_field_name}} adheres to CQC, Public Health England, and NHS infection prevention and control requirements. All infection control protocols are aligned with:

• CQC’s Regulation 12: Safe Care and Treatment.
• NICE guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control.
• Local authority directives for infection control in care settings.

11. Policy Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed annually or when new infection control guidance is released. Any updates will be communicated to all staff and implemented immediately.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.