All our staff are bound by strict rules of confidentiality.

Our surgery computer system is registered under the Data Protection Act and strict confidentiality is maintained.

The Surgery – 280 Manchester Road -2025

This annual statement will be generated each year in March 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 be published on the practice website and will include the following summary:

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

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

The Surgery has one lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Dr Petra Hardie who is supported by the IPC lead Anna Thackeray – Practice Manager.

Infection Transmission Incidents (Significant Events)

Significant events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed in the monthly staff meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control including the cleanliness of the practice.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The annual infection prevention and control audit was completed by Anna Thackeray in March 2025. Audit tool for Primary Care 2024-25.

As a result of the audit, the following has been changed in The Surgery

• Two clinical rooms will have the flooring replaced to the required safety standard
  requested in improvement plan.
• Handwash appliances have been audited throughout the practice.
• Two Radiators repainted.
• Beading relaced – flooring in staff room as identified in last audit.
  – An audit on hand washing was last undertaken on 20/05/2025.

The Surgery plan to undertake the following audits in 2025.

• Annual Infection and Prevention Audit.
• Hand hygiene audit.
• 3 monthly waste audits.
• 3 monthly sharps bin audit.
• Weekly cleaning spot check.
• Spot checks on clinicians – bare below the elbows.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are carried out annually.

Legionella (water) Risk Assessment: the practice has a contract with a water specialist company to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors, or staff.

Immunisation: As a practice we ensure that all our staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and are offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal flu and covid vaccinations). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.

Curtains: The NHS cleaning specifications stare the clinical curtains should be cleaned or if using disposable curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect we use disposable curtains and ensure they are changed every 6 months. The window blinds in the waiting room are very low risk and therefore do not require a specific cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build -up of dust. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are not handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled.

Cleaning specifications, frequencies, and cleanliness:

We have a cleaning specification and frequency policy which our cleaner and staff work to. As assessment of cleanliness is conducted by the cleaning team and logged. This includes all aspects in the practice including cleanliness of equipment.

Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use.

Training

• All our staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control.
• All clinical and non-clinical staff have completed blue stream e-learning training.
• IPC lead attends quarterly IPC link meetings organised by the infection control team, Bridgwater Community Health Care.

Policies All Infection Prevention and Control policies are in date for this year. Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance, and legislation changes. Infection control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings on an annual basis.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all staff to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities within this.

Review date

March 2026

Responsibility for review

The Infection Prevention Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement for and on behalf of The Surgery- 280 Manchester Road.

Audit tool completed by: Anna Thackeray – Practice Manager

We are keen to hear your views on our service or how our systems may be improved and ask that you use the Friends and Family  questionnaire to let us know how we are doing.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your dealings with our practice please let us know.

We follow the NHS complaints procedure.

The matter will be fully investigated and you will be kept informed of the outcome.

This guide tells you what to expect from your general practice (GP) and how you can help them, so you get the best from the National Health Service (NHS). More details can be found through the links below.

When and how can you contact your general practice?

Your general practice is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Throughout these hours you, or your carer on your behalf, can:

• Visit the practice
• Call them
• Go online using the practice’s website or the NHS App.

You can choose the way you contact your practice based on what is best for you. Some practices may have longer hours or may ask that you contact them via phone or in person for urgent queries.

What if the practice is closed?

If you need urgent help for your physical or mental health when the general practice is closed, and you cannot wait until they open, go online to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. They will tell you what to do next.

What if it’s an emergency?

If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, go straight to A&E (Accident and Emergency) or call 999.

What happens when you contact your practice to request an appointment?

Whether you make your request by phone, on-line or visiting your practice, you may be asked to give your practice some details so that they can assess what is best for you based on your clinical need. The practice team will consider your request for an appointment or medical advice and tell you within one working day what will happen next.

This could be:

• An appointment that day or a subsequent day
• A phone call that day or a subsequent day
• A text message responding to your query
• Advice to go to a pharmacy or another NHS service.

Your practice will decide what is best for you based on your clinical need.

Your practice cannot tell you to just call back the next day.

Who might help you?

You might be offered a face-to-face appointment or a phone call with a GP or other member of the practice staff, like a nurse or pharmacist.

If you have a carer, they can speak for you with your consent.

You can ask to see a preferred healthcare professional, and the practice will try to meet your request, although you might have to wait longer for that person to be available.

It can be helpful to see the same healthcare professional, particularly if you have a long-term health condition.

From what age can you see a GP on your own?

If you are 16 or older, you can make and go to appointments by yourself.

If you are under 16, you can still ask to see a GP without your parent or guardian. The GP will decide if that’s appropriate for you.

What if you need extra help?

If you do not speak English, you can ask for interpretation services in your preferred language when you make an appointment.

If you need extra help like longer appointments, a quiet space, wheelchair access, or information in a different format, tell your practice and they will try to help.

How do you choose a general practice?

You can:

• Call or visit a local practice
• Use Find a GP online.

If you want to change to a new general practice you can do so at any point. Most people have a few choices nearby.

Do you need ID or proof of address?

No, you do not need ID, an NHS number or proof of address. It can help the practice if you do, but it is not needed to register or see a GP.   You can also register with a practice if you are homeless.

Can a practice say no to registering you?

They must write to you within 14 days if they say no and explain why. A practice can only say no for a good reason, like if you live too far away or their patient list is closed. For example, they cannot say no for reasons such as immigration status, not having a permanent address, or for reasons connected with other characteristics protected under equalities legislation.

Can you choose which hospital or clinic you are referred to?

If your GP needs to refer you for a physical or mental health condition, in most cases you have the right to choose the hospital or service you’d like to go to. You can get further information on your right to choose on the nhs.uk website.

If you are new to the UK

You can still register with a GP. It’s free to use and your immigration status does not affect your right to register with a GP.

If you are away from home but still in the UK

If you are away from home for more than 24 hours (but less than 3 months), you can register as a temporary patient near where you’re staying.

You can also change your nominated pharmacy so you can get your medicine nearby. You can do this by contacting your practice or via the NHS App.

Do general practices charge for anything?

NHS GP services are free.  Sometimes, if you ask the GP to do private work (like writing a letter for insurance), they may charge a fee.

How should everyone be treated?

The practice should treat everyone fairly, kindly and respectfully.  Likewise, you should also treat staff with respect.  The practice can remove patients from their list if they are violent or abusive to staff.

To learn more about your rights, you can read the NHS Constitution.

How can you help your general practice?

1. Be prepared: Before an appointment, think about writing down your symptoms, what you are worried about and what you want to talk about.
2. Be on time: Being late for an appointment or being unavailable for a timed call-back can affect other patients.
3. Cancel if needed: If you can’t go to your appointment, tell the practice as soon as you can, so that they can offer it to someone else.
4. Use the NHS App or website: If you’re confident using smart phones or computers, you can book or cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and see your test results online.
5. Turn on notifications: If you use the NHS App, turn on notifications so the practice can contact you more easily.  Please keep an eye out for messages.
6. Order repeat medicines on time: Make sure you ask for repeat prescriptions on time, so you don’t run out, and only order what you need.
7. Join the Patient Participation Group: You practice will have a group of patients who can offer feedback on the services it delivers. Your practice website should explain how you can join.

How can you give feedback or raise concerns?

If you want to give feedback, raise a concern or wish to make a formal complaint, ask to speak to the practice manager. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, contact your integrated care board (ICB) – the local NHS body that oversees GPs practices. You can find your local integrated care on the NHS England website.

You can also give feedback about your practice to your local Healthwatch. Their job is to make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care. Healthwatch is independent and impartial, and any information you share with them is confidential. To find your local Healthwatch visit the Healthwatch website.

_{Source: NHS England » You and your general practice – English
Publication reference: PRN01907}

The practice operates a zero tolerance policy towards violent or abusive patients. Behaviour of this type, towards any member of staff or NHS employee, will result in you being removed from our practice list and may involve us informing the police.