Market Harborough and Bosworth Partnership
July 2025
Purpose
This annual statement is generated each year in July in line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
It summarises:
- Any infection transmission incidents and actions taken
- Details of infection control audits and outcomes
- Risk assessments completed or planned
- Staff training
- Updates to IPC policies and procedures
- Immunisation and vaccination activity
This statement applies to all staff employed across both practice sites.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead
GP Lead: Dr Mark Yates, GP Partner
Nurse IPC Lead: Natalie Sweet, Lead Nurse
Practice Manager Support: Karen Partyka
Additional IPC Support: Charlotte Mabbutt, Nursing Associate
- Infection transmission incidents (significant events)
In the past year there have been 0 infection-related significant events.
There have been 0 complaints relating to cleanliness or infection control.
Positive IPC practice continues to be shared through team meetings
b. Infection prevention audit and actions
Significant progress has been made in the past year, including:
- Extensive renovations at Market Harborough Medical Centre with the creation of six new treatment rooms designed to the highest IPC standards.
- New cleanliness audits introduced in line with NHS England 2021 Cleaning Standards.
- Consultation room improvements and updated signage at both Husbands Bosworth and Market Harborough sites.
Audits completed in the past 12 months:
- Cleanliness audits (updated framework)
- Sharps disposal audit
- Hand hygiene audit
- Signage checks
Actions:
- Strengthened cleaning schedules and frequency monitoring
- Increased focus on consultation room IPC compliance
- Clear patient and staff-facing IPC signage in clinical and waiting areas
There has been no CQC inspection this year.
The ICB IPC lead has changed, and no external inspection or visit has taken place in the last 12 months.
Planned audits for 2025/26 include:
- Bi-annual cleanliness and IPC audits
- Quarterly hand hygiene audits
- Annual sharps audit
- Continued monitoring of consultation room compliance
c. Risk assessments
Risk assessments undertaken in the past 12 months:
- COSHH Standards- Updated COSHH records across both sites and new procedure on ordering and monitoring of COSHH products
New risk assessments planned for 2025/26:
- Ventilation and air quality
- Injection technique and training (Nursing Team)
Ongoing/rotational risk assessments:
- Cleaning standards
- Hand Hygiene
- Privacy curtains
- Infrastructure and water safety
- Sharps and clinical waste
- Assistance dogs
D. Staff Training
- All staff complete annual IPC training via Blue Stream.
- Nursing staff attended aseptic technique training at PLT sessions.
- The new Nursing Associate has completed IPC training and supports audits and monitoring at both sites.
- Learning updates (e.g. hand hygiene) are included in staff newsletters and team meetings.
E. Immunisation and Vaccination
- All clinical staff are required to maintain up-to-date Hepatitis B and other occupational vaccinations in line with UKHSA Green Book guidance.
- MMR, seasonal flu, and COVID vaccines are offered to eligible staff.
Patient Immunisations
- The practice participates in national immunisation campaigns for children and adults.
- NHS England and NICE highlight that vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions, protecting individuals and reducing the spread of infectious disease. Increasing uptake of childhood immunisations remains a priority for our local population.
- Planning is underway for the annual flu and COVID vaccination programmes for 2025/26. Eligible patients will be invited via text, phone, or letter, and home visits will be offered to housebound patients.
F. Policies and Procedures
- All IPC policies were reviewed, updated, and migrated to the new staff policy portal in 2025 for improved accessibility.
- Updated or new policies include:
- IPC Policy
- Cleaning Standards and Schedules Policy
- Curtains Policy
- Sharps Policy
- Bloodborne Virus Policy
- Respiratory Conditions Policy
- Scabies and Communicable Conditions Policy
G. Facilities and Equipment
- All six new treatment rooms meet current IPC standards.
- Consultation and waiting rooms are equipped with wipeable seating and hard flooring.
- Air conditioning and ventilation systems are serviced annually to prevent risks such as Legionella.
- Spill kits are maintained at both sites.
H. Waste and Cleaning
- Clinical waste is collected weekly in line with policy, with records retained for audit.
- Domestic waste is collected via Harborough District Council.
- Cleaning contractors work to agreed NHS specifications, monitored via internal audits.
I. Patients
- An isolation room is available for contagious patients to reduce transmission risks.
- Patients with MRSA or other known infections are scheduled appropriately, with cleaning protocols followed post-consultation.
Summary
Market Harborough and Bosworth Partnership remains committed to infection prevention and control. This year has seen significant facility upgrades, the introduction of new audit processes, and policy modernisation.
Our strengthened IPC workforce, combined with ongoing staff training and audit, ensures we maintain high standards of safety and care.
We remain committed to supporting vaccination uptake in our community, including childhood immunisations, flu, and COVID boosters, in line with national guidance.
Review date: July 2026
Responsible for review: Practice Manager & IPC Lead Nurse