Infection prevention and control

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team at Dorset HealthCare works hard to ensure patients and service users receive the highest standard of care in a clean, safe environment.

Preventing infection in our Trust is taken very seriously and each and every person plays an important role in minimising the risks.

The IPC team provides specialist advice to all staff employed in the Trust, along with education and training. The team also develop policies and procedures in line with the Health and Social Care Act (2008) to reduce the risk of infection to all.

The IPC team comprises a lead nurse, senior nurse, IPC nurses, a clinic audit facilitator and a team administrator. The team work very closely with other staff in the Trust, including cleaning services, pharmacists, nurses, doctors and therapists amongst other clinical disciplines, to ensure that the healthcare environment and our practices are safe for all patients and service users.

Help us to keep patients safe

Everyone has a vital part to play in helping prevent and control infections, so remember to:

Leave infections at home

If you have suffered diarrhoea or vomiting, or have COVID-19 symptoms, or a cough, cold or the flu please stay away from visiting friends and relatives until you have recovered and have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. If in doubt call the ward/clinic for advice. Also, please cover up any open wounds or cuts.

Clean your hands carefully

Wash your hands and use alcohol gel before visiting and after contact with patients/service users. You may also be asked to wear personal protective equipment when visiting our sites to prevent spread of infection. 

If in doubt, remind staff

We don’t mind being asked if we have washed our hands and used alcohol gel.

Tell us about problems

Report any problems, such as litter or spillages to our staff. Our staff are responsible for making sure that all areas where patients are being treated are clean and hygienic. If you want to talk to the manager responsible for the area you are being treated in or visiting, ask a member of staff.

Contact the team

The team can be contacted by telephone on 01305 361132 or at dhc.infectionprevention.control@nhs.net