Agenda item

To present the new Northumberland and North Tyneside Community Infection Prevention and Control Strategy 2023-28 and seek approval for the strategy goals and actions to achieve those goals.  The report will be presented by Dr. Jim Brown, Consultant in Public Health.

Members received a presentation and report about the new Northumberland and North Tyneside Community Infection Prevention and Control Strategy 2023-28.  Approval was sought for the strategy goals and actions to achieve those goals.  The report was presented by Dr. Jim Brown, Consultant in Public Health and Heather Lawson, Senior Infection Prevention & Control Nurse.

The following key points were raised:-

•       The Strategy had been developed collaboratively with organisations across Northumberland and North Tyneside and aimed to minimise preventable harmful infections in community settings and to be as prepared as possible for any future infections or pandemics.

•       A new Covid variant, Pirola, had emerged and there were cases in care homes in the east of England.

•       The 2023 National Risk Register indicated the possibility of another pandemic within the next five years.

•       The objectives of the Strategy aimed to identify the current position in community settings, identifying goals, how to achieve those goals and how to monitor achievement of the goals.

•       The Strategy would cover the adult care sector, education, general practice and children’s residential homes.

•       The Strategy Group would review guidance and practice, hold focus groups and surveys and look at data from previous surveys, audits and visits.

•       Currently, there were 4.8 WTE staff working in the community covering Northumberland and North Tyneside.  The team offered training, direct support, collaborative working and audit.

•       Key findings included:-

•       There was a lot of guidance available along with opportunities for additional training.

•       Cost and time were barriers in education and general practice.

•       Many staff felt the need to come to work even if they were unwell with an infection.

•       The team was highly respected and good relationships had developed during the pandemic.

•       A survey of educational settings and GP staff had identified a number of barriers including cost of training and not all feeling the need for training.

•       Vision – ‘Our vision is for all health, care and education professionals working in the community to have the capability, opportunity, and motivation to implement infection prevention and control measures in their setting to protect those who use their services or live, work, or study in the settings.’

•       Principals – to work as a whole system, work as partners to maximise the impact of the IPC by prioritising the deployment of the team, build resilience and capacity within the community by supporting and training key professionals.

•       A series of goals had been identified, along with how they would be achieved and monitored.

The following comments and queries were raised:-

•       There was concern raised about the possible shortage of Covid vaccinations in Northumberland and GPs would have to cancel clinics if this was the case.  It was noted that it was hoped to complete vaccination of care home residents by the end of October and so supplies may be spread over a number of weeks.  There were no issues with flu jab supplies.

•       It was suggested that a more general communication programme be considered.  This had been discussed within a working group.  Communication could be added to the final action plan.

•       Board Members should report back to their organisations to raise awareness to ensure that the plans in the strategy happened.

•       Consideration of business continuity plans could be a way of targeting general practice. 

RESOLVEDthat

(1)    the new Northumberland and North Tyneside Community Infection Prevention and Control Strategy be accepted.

(2)    the strategy goals and actions to achieve those goals be approved.