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.
