The National Care Forum (NCF), Quality Compliance Systems (QCS) and Standards Wise International have forged a unique partnership to help not-for-profit care providers enhance Infection Prevention and Control procedures.
Care providers across the country have been working extraordinarily hard to put in place all the required measures to provide quality care in an environment that is safe for both those they support and their workforce.
Using the latest COVID learnings emerging from infection prevention and control specialists, and taking account of the newly developed Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection methodology, the three organisations have developed a leading-edge audit tool that supports organisations to assess their own practices, and prepare evidence for audit which not only meets CQC requirements but also conforms to international standards.
The tool is structured around eight questions and prompts that inspectors will use to assess infection prevention and control procedures in all care settings in England from September. It breaks down each of the eight subject areas into easily digestible points, and most importantly, it includes an ‘evidence of good practice’ section. The guidance enables providers to identify areas of improvement and rectify them using bespoke policies and procedures crafted and curated by QCS.Vic Rayner, Executive Director of NCF says of the partnership,
“We know that Infection Prevention and Control has always been a fundamental element of high quality care. As we enter into the new ‘COVID-normal’ it becomes ever more central to being ready and ‘here to care’. In response to this, NCF is delighted to be part of an exciting new international partnership between Quality Compliance Systems, Standards Wise International and ourselves. We are all committed to ensuring the highest possible standards in care, and by working together have been able to formulate a tool that will help all our not-for-profit members across the country navigate the highest expectations around Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC).”
Mat Whittingham, the CEO and founder of QCS, adds,
“The ability to constantly gather and evaluate information is the litmus test of any audit tool. When we created this one, we decided to integrate the knowledge and experience of major care and compliance leaders into one holistic system. In doing so, we have created a person-centred tool, which ensures carers can achieve the delicate balance of striving for the highest safety standards without negatively affecting the quality of life of service users, staff or family members.
“Finally, in addition to creating the audit tool, we hope that the new alliance will provide the catalyst to generate ground-breaking ideas and technology, which will help not-for-profits deliver the highest standards as they strive to provide a world-class package of person-centred care.”
David Stevens, Founder and Director at Standards Wise International concludes:
“Standards Wise International is delighted to have collaborated with NCF and QCS on preparing this vital tool on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Compliance, and has been able to share its International experience in these toolkits with NCF and QCS.”
About the National Care Forum
- The National Care Forum brings together 120 of the UK’s leading social care charities. Collectively, these charities deliver more than £1.9 billion of social care support to more than 135,000 people in 6500 settings. The NCF membership body collectively employs more than 85,000 colleagues.
- More information is available on the National Care Forum at org.uk. @NCFCareForum @vicrayner @NCF_Liz
- For enquiries, please contact Edna Petzen ([email protected]).
About Standards Wise International
Standards Wise International focuses on developing and transforming projects and organisations to deliver excellence in the field of ageing in the UK and overseas. We specialise in housing in later life, care homes, community services, wellbeing, creating savings on projects, leadership development, quality assurance, policy and governance.
Download The Free Infection Prevention & Control Tool here
