Tackling HCAIs

Tackling healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) is a key priority for all NHS organisations. A workshop, organised by the Social Partnership Forum (SPF), focused on how HR policies and practices can help support trusts to lower infection rates.

The SPF has published a document called Tackling healthcare associated infections through workforce policies and practices: a partnership approach, to help trusts in this area. The document summaries the outcome of the workshop and is primarily for HR practitioners and trade union representatives but also contains some useful points for board members.

The document covers:

• the key questions for trusts on policies and practices, to facilitate local discussions with staff side colleagues
• the top eight areas that trusts should consider when tackling HCAIs
• good practice examples of what other trusts have done to significantly reduce infection rates
• where to source additional information and support materials, including the Department of Health's Board to Ward document