At Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT), your safety is our priority. Preventing infection is a vital part of the care we provide, and we are committed to protecting patients, visitors, and staff from avoidable harm.
Infections such as MRSA, Norovirus, Clostridioides difficile, COVID-19, influenza, and other viruses can spread easily in healthcare settings. Our role is to reduce that risk through safe, evidence-based practices and by working together with you.
We follow national standards, including the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections, to ensure high standards of cleanliness and safety across all our services.
What we do to keep you safe
As a Trust, we have robust systems in place to prevent and control infection:
- Strict hand hygiene and cleaning procedures across all clinical areas
- Regular training for staff to ensure best practice is followed at all times
- Monitoring and early identification of infection risks (surveillance programme), with prompt action taken
- High standards of environmental cleanliness, supported by our domestic teams
- Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, aprons, and masks when required
- Isolation or additional precautions when necessary to prevent infections spreading
We also carry out regular audits and inspections to make sure these standards are maintained.
Our Infection Prevention and Control Team
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team provides specialist advice and leadership across the Trust.
As Lead Nurse for IPC, I am supported by a team of experienced IPC nurses who work closely with clinical staff, matrons, estates and facilities, and domestic services. Together, we:
- Provide expert guidance to staff and services
- Deliver education and training
- Monitor infection trends and investigate outbreaks
- Support safe care practices and improvements
- Ensure compliance with national standards and Trust policies
- Work collaboratively with our service users to develop resources and promote hand hygiene
How can you help
Infection prevention is a shared responsibility, and your support makes a real difference. You can help keep everyone safe by:
- Cleaning your hands regularly using soap and water or alcohol hand gel, especially:
- When entering or leaving wards or departments
- Before eating or drinking
- After using the toilet
- Following any advice given by staff about infection prevention measures
- Avoiding visiting if you feel unwell, particularly if you have symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, cough, or a rash
- Letting staff know immediately if you feel unwell during your visit or stay
- Respecting any signage about infection precautions, including the use of PPE
- Keeping personal areas tidy and minimising clutter to support effective cleaning
- Politely reminding others about hand hygiene if you are unsure
Visiting safely
To help protect vulnerable patients:
- Please do not visit if you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours or if you have cold/flu like symptoms.
- For information on Norovirus please visit: Norovirus (vomiting bug) – NHS
- For information on flu, Covid and other respiratory infections please visit: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) – NHS
- Follow ward guidance on visiting times and any restrictions
- Children should be supervised at all times and follow hand hygiene guidance
- Avoid sitting on beds and use the chairs provided
- Do not share food, drinks, or personal items unless advised it is safe to do so
Working together
Preventing infection is everyone’s responsibility. By working together – patients, visitors, and staff – we can reduce the spread of infection and maintain a safe, clean environment for all.
If something does not look clean or you are concerned about infection prevention, please speak to a member of staff. We welcome your feedback.
Further information
If you would like more information or have any questions about infection prevention and control, please speak to a member of staff or contact the IPC Team:
Email: bsmhft.ipc@nhs.net
