It is important for everyone working in care to understand the principles of infection prevention and control. Good infection prevention and control will minimise the risk of healthcare associated infections and will help protect both the people you care for and yourself.
Updates have been made to the Respiratory Illness pack for Care Homes/WAA homes 2023-24 these are.
- The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) number has recently changed to one single number for both in hours and out of hours
0300 303 0234 which we have updated on the documents.
- We also want to remind home managers about the antiviral flu stock that is ringfenced specifically for care homes at ASDA Pharmacy, Killingbeck, to help ensure that residents start treatment if required within 48 hours.
Although many community pharmacies more local to you can access stock quickly, you have the option to send prescriptions directly to ASDA Killingbeck who hold a stock of Oseltamivir 75 and 30mg capsules specifically for care homes.
Asda Pharmacy, Killingbeck Drive, Leeds, LS14 6UF. Telephone: 0113 2019510.
Opening Hours: Monday –Saturday 9.00 to 21.00hrs and Sunday 10.00 to 16.00hrs
IPC guidance for Covid-19.
To notify or get advice on flu/respiratory illnesses in care homes
Phone the Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Team (UKHSA) on 0113 386 0300
There is also a practical guide on Outbreaks of respiratory illnesses in care
homes
External link
Care Homes instructions for Flu
swabs
External link
NHS information and resources on the
Flu vaccine
External link
Supporting those visiting relatives with IPC
Leeds Community Health Care IPC team have provided a number of short leaflets aimed at supporting visitors to care homes around wearing a mask, washing hands using gel etc. The leaflets are available below and can be either sent to visitors or printed out. They are also useful for new staff and any other visitors plumbers, builders delivery people etc.
Social distancing when visiting a care
home
External link
Washing your hands during a
visit
External link
Using hand gels during a
visit
External link
Removing PPE after a
visit
External link
Wearing a mask during a
visit
External link
Maintaining ventilation during a care home
visit
External link
Infection Control Covid-19 training for care homes
These links take you to presentations related to the Care Homes Supertrainers Training.
Please play the slides as a presentation as then the slides autoplay with the voiceover.
1.Infection Control for Care Homes – PowerPoint Training slide 1
External link - Hand washing and PPE
2.Infection Control for Care Homes - PowerPoint Training slide 2
External link - Taking care of residents and yourselves
3.Infection Control for Care Homes - PowerPoint Training slide 3
External link - Taking care of your environment
4.Infection Control for Care Homes - PowerPoint Training slide 4
External link - Additional preparations
Guidance
Help and support
Help and support
Leeds community health care's
infection control team’s web page
External link contains resources and guidance on topics including audit tools, cleaning, clostridium difficile (CDI), influenza outbreaks, sepsis, legionnaires, antimicrobial resistance and handwashing.
The infection control team can be contacted for information and advice on:
Phone: 0113 843 4511
Email:infectioncontrolleeds@nhs.net
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Diarrhoea and vomiting outbreaks
To notify and get to advice contact the Communicable Disease Control team.
Phone: 0113 378 5900
Flu outbreaks
To notify and to get advice contact Public Health England.
Phone: 0113 386 0300
