The publication of ‘An Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Strategy for Scotland: Vision and Priority Statements’ intends to reduce preventable infection for all who access, use or provide health and social care, over the course of a decade. 

The move also marks the first time the Scottish Government has published a strategy for infection prevention and control within care homes and social care –  following the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which signified the impact of infection within long-term care settings. 

The strategy lays out eight areas of focus, such as stronger governance and leadership, better data and surveillance, and wider education, training and career development for health and social care workers. A number of multi-year plans to deliver the strategy will also be executed. 

It is anticipated that the strategy will lead to better training for care home staff for infection control operations as well as improved data and surveillance to identify and deter infection earlier within hospitals.

Professor Aisha Holloway, chief nursing officer for Scotland, said: “Infection prevention and control is fundamental to safe, high-quality care. 

“We do not underestimate the scale of the challenge — health and social care-associated infections continue to cause significant harm, in both hospital and community settings.”

Holloway added: “This strategy responds to that reality with a system-wide approach. The experience and insight of the health and social care workforce across Scotland will be central to shaping the action plans that bring this strategy to life.”