Chair: Dr Aleksandra Marek
The IPCD group allows Infection Control Doctors to have an organised and structured framework for IPCD activities. This allows formation of collective opinion and professional input from IPCDs into partner organisations and stakeholders, whilst giving IPCDs organisational and governance support within the wider SMVN. The opinion of IPCDs has helped co-ordinate wider Microbiology testing strategies with IPC strategy and objectives, with clear links from operational NHS Boards into Scottish Government, PHS, NHS Scotland Assure and ARHAI Scotland. IPCD collective opinion has helped formulate effective COVID-19 rapid diagnostic testing to optimise hospital patient admission pathways. The group is active in contribution to the National Infection Control Manual, and IPC workforce training reviews.
Key activities include collective opinions contributing to national guidelines, promoting standardisation and provision of a forum for discussion complex problems.
IPCD is central to several legal acts including the Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IPC policies and procedures have become more important than ever to help prevent spread of the virus.