Agenda item

- John Radford, Director of Public Health, to present

Kathy Wakefield, Health Protection Manager, presented the Infection Prevention and Health Protection 2011/12 Annual Report.

Whilst there was no legal requirement for commissioning organisations to have a nominated Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC), it was seen as good practice.  This function was fulfilled by the Director of Public Health supported by the Health Protection Manager.  All providers commissioned by NHS Rotherham had nominated DIPCs or Infection prevention leads and were members of the Strategic Infection Prevention and Control Committee.

The Committee had met throughout the reportable period providing assurance regarding compliance with all relevant Guidance and Quality Management Group, respective contract quality review meetings or relevant member of the CCG.  Its purpose was not performance management.  An annual programme based on the NHS Operating Framework and local priorities was developed, agreed and monitored by the Committee escalating concerns as appropriate.

Kathy drew attention to:-

-        Health Care Associated Infections

Both the provider (RFT) and NHSR as commissioning organisation had to have an Annual Plan to achieve and sustain a reduction in the number of MRSA bacteraemia and C.difficile infections

-        Outbreaks

Flu like/confirmed Influenza - 4 outbreaks of – 3 in care homes and 1 at a primary school

E.coli 0157 – family outbreak excluding food handlers.  No implications for the wider community

Water Quality Incident – a family with raised blood lead levels.  Work in conjunction with Health Protection Agency and YWA.  No identified ill health affects.  Changes made to the practice of reporting from YWA to Environmental Health and the Local Authority

-        Influenza

Slightly higher numbers of GP consultations from early January to mid-March compared to other areas across the region.

Overall hospital admissions had remained low for the season

There had been 1 death (Asthmatic patient).  The patient had been invited by the GP on 2 occasions for vaccination but had not attended

-        Influenza Immunisation Vaccination Programme

Over 65s – Target of 75% - achieved 76%

At Risk Groups including Pregnant Women – Target 60% - achieved 53.6%

-        Food Borne Illness

Largely unchanged

-        Vaccination and Immunisation

Continued improvement across all vaccination programmes specifically in relation to the Childhood Programme (0-5 years) and School Booster

-        Areas of concern

MMR – continuing work to encourage uptake particularly 5-24 year olds

HPV Vaccine – delivered as part of School-based Programme.  Failed to achieve 90% (84.4%).  Work taking place on a delivery plan with providers

Pneumococcal Immunisation for the under 65s – review and agreed to continue with programme

Respiratory Syncytial Virus affecting Younger Children – targeted vaccination programme with 26 children vaccinated (increase of 11)

Infection Prevention and Control in Care Homes – close work commenced with Contract Monitoring Officers to improve standards across all the care home 

Brian James, Rotherham Foundation Trust, reported that infection control remained a high priority for the Trust and was performing well nationally with the support of colleagues in managing infection control but there was no room for complacency.

Discussion ensued on the report particularly on the death of the patient who had failed to attend for influenza vaccination and what efforts the GP practice/how far a GP could go to ensure a patient attended an appointment.

Agreed:-  That the Infection Prevention and Health Protection Annual report for 2011/12 be noted.