The Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) team are a caring team that empowers, engages and educates colleagues to understand and practice excellent Infection Prevention strategies every day. This is achieved by providing learning opportunities, both in house and by accessing national offers of education, and by cultivating a network of Infection Prevention Liaison Practitioners (ICLP’s)
The team monitors infection prevalence across 9 inpatient units, investigates healthcare acquired infections, and provides infection control and outbreak management. Each Livewell service has a named IPC worker. When an infection is circulating and is affecting a Livewell service, the Infection Prevention & Control team manages the response with the aim of containing the infection, preventing transmission and keeping our patients and colleagues safe.
The team also provides oversight, coordination and delivery of Livewell’s annual flu vaccination campaign which ensures that all colleagues have access to a vaccine, as well as providing a mask fit service which ensures that all colleagues have the opportunity to be fitted for an FFP3 (face filtering piece) and know how to use the mask safely.
The team regularly undertakes audits and provide assurances to the Board and Performance Committee.
National Infection Prevention & Control Manual (NIPCM)
The NIPCM has been produced to provide an evidence-based practice manual for use by all those involved in care provision in England and should be adopted as guidance in NHS settings or settings where NHS services are delivered, and the principles should be applied in all care settings. Livewell Southwest has adopted the manual as their IPC policy.
NHS England » National infection prevention and control
We strive to embed the 10 standard infection control precautions in everyday practice.
- Patient placement/assessment of infection risk
- Hand hygiene
- Respiratory and cough hygiene
- Personal protective equipment
- Safe management of the care environment
- Safe management of care equipment
- Safe management of healthcare linen
- Safe management of blood and body fluids
- Safe disposal of waste (including sharps)
- Occupational safety / managing prevention of exposure (including sharps)
When not to visit
If you are not feeling well, or have been exposed to any infection. Symptoms such as coughs, flu, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea can easily spread to vulnerable patients and make their condition worse. If you have symptoms of diarrhoea or sickness please do not visit the hospital until you have been feeling better for 48 hours.
Please call the unit/ward prior to your visit to identify whether there are any infections affecting that area. If the unit/ward is experiencing difficulties with an outbreak of infection, but it is deemed vital that you visit, please do not bring young children or frail, elderly visitors (they may be at risk from the infection).
Hand Hygiene
Please take note of the advice regarding hand hygiene, which is displayed throughout wards and departments.
Useful patient information leaflets on specific infections can be found at:
The NHS website – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)