Board of directors' statement of commitment
Board of Directors' Statement of Commitment to the principles of the code of practice for the prevention and control of health care association infections.
The successful management, prevention and control of infection is recognised by the trust as a key factor in the quality and safety of the care of our patients and those in the local health community and in the safety and wellbeing of our staff and visitors.
The board has collective responsibility for infection, prevention and control including minimising the risks of infection.
The board receives assurance that the trust has mechanisms in place for minimising the risks of infection by means of the Infection Control Committee and the Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC). Assurance is provided by reports, audit reports, root cause analysis reports and verbal presentations from the DIPC.
The Infection Control Committee is chaired by the DIPC. It is a sub-committee of the Board of Directors and the Board receives its minutes, annual report and exception reports. It has terms of reference and produces an annual plan, both of which are approved by the Board.
The DIPC is appointed by the board and reports directly to the Chief Executive and the Board. The post holder is a member of the Trust Clinical Management Board and Governance and Risk Management Committees, and produces an annual report. The DIPC is assisted in discharging the relevant Board level responsibilities by the Chief Nurse.
The Board is committed to the exemplary application of infection control practice within all areas of the trust. To this end the Board will ensure that all staff are provided with access to infection control advice with a fully resourced infection control and occupational health service, access to personal protective equipment and training and policies that provide up-to-date infection control knowledge and care practices. Individual and corporate responsibility for infection control will be stipulated as appropriate in all job descriptions with individual compliance monitored annually through the appraisal systems and personal development plans.
The policies in place in the trust and the arrangements set out above are to encourage, support and foster a culture of Clinical Directorate responsibility for the prevention and control of infection in practice, with the aim of continually improving the quality and safety of patient care.
The trust’s policies and practices in respect of infection prevention and control accord with the aims and objectives in national policy and strategy. This is aimed at ensuring the full confidence of the local population in the quality of care that the Trust delivers.
July 2008
For review no later than July 2009
