Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility, as is providing clean and safe care within a healthcare organisation. Robust infection prevention practice is easier to introduce than management of any problem, and will sustainably reduce infection rates.

The minimum requirements of any healthcare organisation are:

• A culture of zero tolerance to Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI)
• Recognition that HCAI is everyone’s responsibility
• Robust assurance for HCAI
• A dynamic and visible Infection Prevention and Control Team

The aim of the infection prevention and control service is to promote as safe an environment as possible for staff, patients and visitors. This is so that the risk of contamination and cross-infection are kept to a minimum.

The infection prevention and control service is provided to Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust staff, as well as offering advice and guidance to GP practices and nursing homes within Northamptonshire and Nene and Corby Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).