With UK Health Security Agency (UKHA) finding the rates of flu continue to rise week-on-week, we are sharing latest IPC guidance for providers to promote and follow to keep people who draw on care and support and their staff safe and to encourage uptake of the flu vaccine.
DHSC will be sharing a letter from director Claire Armstrong with the sector shortly.
In the meantime, please actively promote the following guidance so that we can help to protect those drawing on and delivering care and increase vaccination levels in the sector.
Standard infection control precautions to be followed at all times.
These include:
- hand hygiene between tasks and between individuals receiving care and support with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
- respiratory and cough hygiene
- regularly letting fresh air into rooms and shared areas (for more information on ventilation, see guidance on Ventilation to reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19)
- cleaning of shared equipment between individuals and always after use
- regular cleaning of the environment with particular attention to frequently touched surfaces and shared areas
- appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when there is a risk of blood, body fluid, mucus membrane or non-intact skin exposure.
- correct handling and segregation of waste and linen (follow the appropriate precautions for potentially infectious linen)
Providers to proactively take steps to support those in their care and their staff to be vaccinated by:
- providing information on vaccination campaigns with question and answer leaflets, posters, and stickers available on campaigns via the DHSC campaign resource centre
- commencing the consent process for residents in good time to maximise uptake for eligible people in residential care settings
- encouraging staff to book their vaccinations as soon as possible, reinforcing the importance of vaccination to protect the people in their care
Guidance on supporting safer visiting to be followed, promoting CQC Regulation 9a: Supporting safer visiting in care homes during infectious illness outbreaks – GOV.UK
