Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Company Name: Falcon Greencare

Policy Type: Health & Safety / Clinical Governance

Applies to: All permanent staff, temporary staff, agency workers, contractors, and volunteers supplied or employed by Falcon Greencare

Reviewed in line with: Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards,  Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and relevant infection prevention guidance 

1. Policy Statement 

Falcon Greencare is committed to preventing, controlling, and reducing the risk of infection to service users, staff, and others. We recognise that effective infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential to delivering safe, high-quality care and is a fundamental requirement under CQC Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment). 

Falcon Greencare will ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities and follow robust infection control practices in all settings where care is delivered. 

2. Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to: 

• Prevent the spread of infection 
• Protect service users, staff, and the wider community 
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements 
• Promote safe and consistent infection control practices across all placements 

3. Scope 

This policy applies to: 

• All Falcon Greencare employees and agency workers 
• All healthcare and social care environments, including care homes, hospitals, domiciliary care, supported living, and community settings 

4. Legal and Regulatory Framework 

This policy is informed by the following legislation and guidance: 

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – Regulation 12 
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 
• Public Health England / UK Health Security Agency infection control guidance • CQC Fundamental Standards 

5. Responsibilities 

5.1 Falcon Greencare 

Falcon Greencare will: 

• Provide infection prevention and control training prior to deployment 
• Ensure training is refreshed regularly (at least annually) 
• Maintain records of training and competency 
• Provide up-to-date guidance and policies 
• Work with placement providers to ensure safe systems of work 

5.2 Placement Providers and Managers 

Placement providers are responsible for: 

• Ensuring local IPC procedures are available and followed 
• Providing appropriate PPE and hand hygiene facilities 
• Informing agency staff of known infection risks 
• Reporting outbreaks or incidents promptly 

5.3 Employees and Agency Workers 

All staff must: 

• Comply with this policy and local IPC procedures 
• Attend required IPC training 
• Use PPE appropriately 
• Practice effective hand hygiene 
• Report infections, exposure incidents, or concerns immediately 
• Not attend work if unfit due to infectious illness 

6. Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) 

Standard Infection Control Precautions must be applied at all times and include: 

6.1 Hand Hygiene 

• Hands must be cleaned before and after all direct contact with service users 
• Alcohol-based hand rub should be used where appropriate 
• Hands must be washed with soap and water when visibly soiled or after contact with bodily fluids 

6.2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

• PPE must be used based on risk assessment 
• PPE may include gloves, aprons, masks, and eye protection 
• PPE must be disposed of safely after use 

6.3 Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette 

• Staff should cover coughs and sneezes and perform hand hygiene immediately 
• Tissues should be disposed of safely

7. Management of Blood and Body Fluid Spills 

• All blood and body fluid spills must be cleaned immediately using approved cleaning agents 
• Appropriate PPE must be worn 
• Waste must be disposed of in accordance with local procedures 

8. Sharps Safety 

• Sharps must be handled and disposed of safely using approved sharps containers 
• Sharps must never be recapped 
• Needlestick injuries must be reported immediately and managed according to local procedures 

9. Waste Management 

• Clinical and non-clinical waste must be segregated and disposed of correctly 
• Staff must follow local waste disposal policies 
• Waste bags must not be overfilled 

10. Linen Management 

• Soiled linen must be handled with minimal agitation 
• Appropriate PPE must be worn 
• Linen must be placed in designated bags and processed according to local procedures 

11. Immunisation and Occupational Health 

• Staff are encouraged to keep immunisations up to date 
• Occupational health clearance may be required prior to placement 
• Staff must disclose relevant health information that may impact infection risk 

12. Outbreaks and Notifiable Diseases 

• Suspected or confirmed outbreaks must be reported immediately 
• Staff must follow instructions from placement providers and public health authorities 
• Falcon Greencare will cooperate fully with investigations and control measures 

13. Training and Competency 

• All staff must complete infection control training prior to placement 
• Refresher training will be provided at least annually 
• Competency will be monitored and recorded 

14. Monitoring, Audit, and Compliance 

• Compliance with this policy will be monitored through audits, feedback, and incident reporting 
• Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action or removal from placement 

15. Review and Approval 

This policy will be: 

      •     Reviewed annually or sooner if guidance or legislation changes 

Date written: 27/2/2026
To be reviewed: 27/02/2027