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Birmingham and Solihull Mental health NHS Foundation Trust
Better Together
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Infection Prevention Control

Welcome to the Infection Prevention and Control page.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) is firmly committed to the prevention and control of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI), (such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile), and the use of best practice and guidance to support our services to patients.

According to the Health Act 2006, “health care associated infection means any infection to which an individual may be exposed or made susceptible (or more susceptible) in circumstances where (a) health care is being, or has been, provided to that or any other individual, and (b) the risk of exposure to the infection, or of susceptibility (or increased susceptibility) to it, is directly or indirectly attributable to the provision of the health care”.

The Trust delivers a wide range of services in a variety of settings including community health centres, hospitals and in the home. Therefore, it is essential that we continually promote Infection Prevention and Control and good hygiene procedures as a crucial part of our everyday work. Infection Prevention and Control is everyone’s responsibility.

All trusts are required to have a director for Infection Prevention and Control and this position is held by the Executive Director of Quality and Safety (Chief Nurse) who leads the Infection Prevention and Control agenda and reports to the Trust board on the delivery of the annual programme of work. To support the Executive Director of Nursing in their role, the trust has an Infection Prevention and Control Team comprising of Nurses and a team secretary. 

View the annual Infection Prevention and Control report 2020/21 

The Trust Infection Prevention and Control team works closely with colleagues who provide cleaning services and matrons to ensure standards of cleanliness are maintained, as well as providing education and advice, attending service user meetings, and providing written information regarding infectious conditions.

You can contact the Infection Prevention and Control team on bsmhft.ipc@nhs.net

If you are visiting our services, we ask that you follow these rules to keep you safe:

Hand hygiene

Always clean your hands using soap and water or alcohol hand rubs. Do this when you enter or leave a patient's room or other areas of the hospital.

If you're concerned about the hand hygiene of members of staff who you come into contact within our Trust, you're encouraged to ask them whether they have cleaned their hands. 

Visitors and carers are encouraged to ask staff if they have cleaned their hands. Visitors to our wards can also expect encouragement to promote hand washing. For more information on handwashing please visit the NHS How to wash your hands page.

If you have any concerns or questions about cleanliness or Infection Prevention and Control, please speak to the Lead/Nurse-in-charge or contact the Matron who will be happy to discuss your concerns.

Illness

If you are unwell, please do not visit us – contact the team/area you are visiting if you need any clarification regarding visiting our services. If you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or any other infectious condition, contact the area you are visiting for advice before visiting.

Coronavirus

Get NHS advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and staying at home.

Flu

You can find information about Flu by visiting the following page Flu - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Norovirus

For information on Norovirus visit the NHS page.