The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2025) describes Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) as a practical, evidence-based approach preventing patients, carers, health care professionals and support staff being harmed by avoidable infections. IPC is important and is a foundation stone that incorporates all our core values of our people, our patients, our services, our resources and our social impact.
IPC is especially important within Severnside IUC as an urgent and out-of-hours setting, where clinicians often work across multiple locations and patient groups. Simple, consistent measures such as hand hygiene, appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and environmental cleanliness can significantly reduce the risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs).
All clinicians and operational staff must be familiar with current IPC guidance and be compliant with the IPC Policy and associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). If there are important and emergency updates these will be highlighted on Message of the Day during your shift. The clinical newsletter has further updates and guidance on IPC fortnightly.
Key IPC Resources:
- IPC Policy: https://www.radar-brisdoc.co.uk/knowledgebase/comprehensive-infection-prevention-and-control-policy/
- High Consequence of Infectious Diseases (HCID) and Notifiable disease SOP: https://www.radar-brisdoc.co.uk/knowledgebase/notifiable-and-high-consenquence-infectious-disease-operational-ppe-and-cleaning-sop/
- Handwashing audit: https://www.radar-brisdoc.co.uk/knowledgebase/hand-washing-audit-guide/
- Preparedness plan for Fit Testing: https://www.radar-brisdoc.co.uk/knowledgebase/preparedness-plan-for-fit-testing-brisdoc-workforce/
- Video link for RESPIRATORY HOOD (versaflo) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRDKTsJqhgo
Please refer to individual diseases / infections for further guidance.
Measles is still circulating in our community and please be vigilant about this while you are triaging or seeing patients.
If you have any questions or concerns about IPC practices or policies, please speak with your line manager or the IPC lead. Let’s continue working together to keep our patients, colleagues, and ourselves safe.
IPC Lead – Shelly Joseph shelly.joseph@nhs.net