Students Help Design the Future of Infection Control in the North East
The North East of England Regional Skills Development Group has developed a new strategy and guide to good practice that will help the health and social care sectors to prevent, control and manage infections. The strategy has been compiled and written by the group with the striking design and photography produced by students at the Cleveland College of Art and Design.
Many infectious diseases have the capacity to spread within care establishments, where large numbers of people, many of whom may be susceptible to infection, share eating and living accommodation. Infection is a major cause of illness among care home residents and often results in avoidable admissions to hospital.
Marian French is Community& Society Advisor for City and Guilds in the North East and Cumbria. She said of the new strategy and workbook: "Healthcare associated infections are serious, and in some cases life threatening. The high media profile these infections often receive can be alarming to residents, relatives and care givers. It is important that clear information on the standards of infection prevention and control in care homes is available, and the Regional Skills Development Group have worked very hard to create a comprehensive, and yet very accessible guide to tackling the issues."
Bob Little is the Regional Development Manager for Skills for Care North East. He said: "As a region, we're doing well in controlling infection. In 2008/09 we've seen a 37% reduction in MRSA infection compared to the previous year, and around 30% fewer incidences of c.difficile. However, there's always work to do, and we're all about promoting skills and learning in the care sector. This strategy and workbook will help staff understand all the issues. Families and carers want to be assured that the care their relatives and dependants are receiving is being provided in a clean and safe environment, and we're committed to helping that happen."
The design of the Strategy and workbook is the work of two local students from the Cleveland College of Art and Design. Ian Fish designed the documents and Gagandeep Kaur provided the photography for the workbook .
Ian said: "It's great to think that your work not only comes up to the standard that organisations are happy to use, but that it's a document that will do some real good for a lot of people."
Gagandeep added: "Images are a great way of expressing ideas and getting messages across to people. I'm pleased that my work is being used in a way that will help on a practical level."
The strategy provides support to all staff working in a care setting to achieve an acceptable level of practical knowledge whether it be a refresher, or to get up to speed on the first day of a new job.
The work of the North East of England Regional Skills Development Group in developing the Strategy has been essential to ensuring that it meets both the needs of the health, and social care sectors.
The strategy makes a number of key recommendations, in particular developing a new role of Infection Control Champions. These Champions would identify gaps in knowledge, inform relevant organisations and allocate appropriate resources to make sure that the highest standards are maintained.
