March 2026 to March 2027
Park Lane Surgery is committed to high standards of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). We maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors through effective cleaning, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe sharps and waste management, staff training, and robust clinical decontamination processes.
Purpose of this Statement
In line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections, this annual statement summarises:
It will summarise:
- Infection-related incidents and actions taken in accordance with our significant event procedures
- IPC audits completed and actions arising
- IPC risks identified, with risk assessments and mitigations implemented
- Staff IPC training and competency assurance
- Review and updating of IPC policies, procedures and guidance
Three members of staff lead in Infection control:
- Clinical IPC Leads: Nurse Dowling (IPC Lead) and Dr Khaira (Clinical Lead)
- Environmental Cleaning Lead Helen Conaghan – Practice manager
IPC leads are the first point of contact for staff regarding IPC concerns and support a safe environment for patients, carers, visitors and staff. Patients can also raise any cleanliness or IPC concerns via the Reception team.
IPC leads are responsible for:
- Monitoring IPC systems and compliance
- Completing and documenting IPC risk assessments
- Delivering IPC updates and promoting good practice (posters, briefings, training)
- Implementing national and local IPC guidance
- Coordinating annual IPC audits and ensuring actions are completed
- Sharing key IPC messages with the practice team
- Attending relevant ICB / IPC updates
The Environmental Cleaning Lead is responsible for:
- Ensuring appropriate cleaning specifications, oversight and documentation to support IPC
Infection-related incidents (Significant Events)
Infection-related significant events are reviewed as they occur in line with practice procedures and learning is shared with the team. No infection-related significant events were recorded for the period March 2025 – February 2026
Audits
The IPC Lead undertakes an annual internal IPC / environment audit each March using the locally adopted primary care audit tool (now under Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB governance). Findings and actions are reviewed by the Partners. This has contributed to improvements including upgrades to our minor surgery / clinical procedure room.
The practice also participated in an external Infection Prevention Audit coordinated via Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB. The resulting action plan has been completed and submitted.
Regular checks / audits are completed including hand hygiene, decontamination processes, PPE use, sharps management, and cold chain / fridge monitoring.
The IPC Lead has completed IPC Lead training and attends updates / webinars to remain current with best practice.
Risk Assessments and Controls
Key IPC risk assessments and mitigations during the period March 2025 – February 2026 included:
- Staff immunisation: occupational health vaccination checks appropriate to role (e.g. influenza, COVID-19, Hepatitis B where indicated).
- Patient immunisation: partaking in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offering vaccinations in-house and via home visits to our patients.
- Cleaning standards: documented cleaning specifications and frequencies, with routine monitoring and recorded checks including equipment cleanliness.
- Measles preparedness: we promote MMR catch-up and maintain vigilance for suspected cases. Patients with fever and rash are managed with enhanced infection control precautions and advised not to attend without contacting the practice first. Any suspected cases are managed and escalated in line with UKHSA guidance.
Staff Training
All staff complete IPC training (including hand hygiene, PPE, waste handling, management of spillages and needlestick injuries). Certificates are held and available for inspection.
Policies, Protocols and Guidelines
IPC policies and protocols are accessible to staff and are reviewed at least annually, and sooner if guidance or legislation changes.
Review date – March 2027