Purpose   

This annual statement will be generated each year in May, in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. The report will include the following summary:  

• Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our significant event procedure)  
• Details of any infection control audits carried out and actions undertaken  
• Details of any risk assessments undertaken for the prevention and control of infection 
• Details of staff training  
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines   

Infection prevention and control (IPC) lead  

The lead for infection prevention and control at Hildenborough and Tonbridge medical Group is Dr Nicky Perry and Dr Phillippa Wilson   

The IPC lead is supported by Nurse Velma Conboy   

a. Infection transmission incidents (significant events)  

Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events. 

Positive events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised in areas of best practice.  

Negative events are managed by the staff member who either identified or was advised of any potential shortcoming. This person will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) form which commences an investigation process to establish what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. 

All significant events are reviewed and discussed at clinical meetings. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.  

In the past year, there have been 0 significant events raised which related to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.   

b. Infection prevention audit and actions  

Internal Infection Control Audit of both sites (Hildenborough and Trenchwood) completed March 2025 by Velma Conboy. Audit outcome reviewed and discussed in Infection Control Meeting April 2025. Please see audit report for full detail.

c. Risk assessments   

Risk assessments are to be carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed. 

d. Training  

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Hildenborough and Tonbridge Medical Group all staff and contractors receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. This is via Bluestream or E-learning for Health. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually.

e. Policies and procedures 

The infection prevention and control-related policies and procedures that have been written, updated or reviewed in the last year include, but are not limited, to:  

• Infection Prevention Control Handbook for Hildenborough and Tonbridge Medical Group. Reviewed and updated in February 2025. Please see policy handbook for full detail.

Policies relating to infection prevention and control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually. Additionally, all policies are amended on an ongoing basis as per current advice, guidance and legislation changes.   

f. Responsibility 

It is the responsibility of all staff members at Hildenborough and Tonbridge Medical Group to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.   

g. Review  

The IPC lead and Dr Nicky Perry and Dr Phillippa Wilson are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.  

This annual statement will be updated on or before May 2026.