Infection Prevention and Control Policy for Families

Our commitment to keeping your family safe

At Feed and Flow Clinic, the health, safety and wellbeing of the babies, children and families we support are extremely important to us. We follow strict infection prevention and control procedures to minimise the risk of infection and ensure that care is provided safely and hygienically during our home visits.

Our procedures follow relevant UK infection prevention and control guidance and are regularly reviewed to reflect current best practice.

Hand Hygiene

Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection.

We clean our hands before and after providing care, between families, and whenever necessary during an appointment. We use appropriate handwashing techniques and hand sanitiser where suitable.

We ask families to support good hygiene during appointments, including washing hands when needed, particularly after using the toilet, changing nappies or handling bodily fluids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

We use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as disposable gloves, aprons and face masks, when required by our clinical risk assessment and the nature of the care being provided.

PPE is changed and disposed of appropriately to minimise the risk of cross-contamination between families.

Cleaning and Clinical Equipment

All clinical equipment is cleaned and decontaminated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and appropriate infection prevention guidance.

Where possible, we use sterile, single-use equipment for procedures. Items intended for single use are never reused.

We take care to maintain clean working conditions during home visits and ensure equipment is stored, transported and handled safely.

Clinical Waste and Sharps Disposal

Any clinical waste generated during a procedure, including blood-contaminated materials and used sharps, is handled and disposed of safely in accordance with relevant guidance.

Sharps are placed immediately into an approved sharps container, and contaminated clinical waste is placed into designated clinical waste bags. Waste is transported securely and disposed of through appropriate licensed waste arrangements.

We take every precaution to protect babies, families and others in the home from accidental exposure to clinical waste or sharps.

Illness and Infection

To protect the families we visit, we do not attend appointments when we have an illness that could pose a risk of spreading infection.

If your baby or a member of your household is unwell with a potentially infectious illness, particularly vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or symptoms of a contagious infection, please contact us before your appointment.

Depending on the circumstances, we may need to postpone the visit until it is safe to proceed. We will discuss this with you and advise on the next steps.

Please do not feel concerned about letting us know if anyone in your household is unwell. This information helps us make appropriate decisions to protect everyone.

Blood and Bodily Fluids

We take appropriate precautions whenever care involves potential contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Any spills or contamination are managed promptly and safely using suitable protective equipment and cleaning procedures.

If an accidental exposure or infection control incident occurs, we follow the appropriate procedures to minimise risk and seek further advice or support where necessary.

Staff Training and Responsibilities

Infection prevention and control is an essential part of our clinical practice. We maintain appropriate training, review our procedures regularly and monitor our working practices to ensure that high standards of hygiene and safety are maintained.

Our aim is to provide safe, compassionate and professional care for every family we visit.

If you have any questions about our infection prevention and control procedures or wish to be sent our full policy, please contact Feed and Flow Clinic.

Contact details

Email: feedandflowclinic@gmail.com

Telephone: 07598 744636

Website: feedandflowclinic.com

*This policy was made by and for Feed and Flow Clinic and its service users to access. It should not be copied, reproduced or altered*