Zoom based RCN Accredited 2 day IPC Link Practitioner course (Mental Health) This sector course caters to Acute, & Forensics, Secure and medium Secure facilities, Prisons and immigrations Centres.

This sector course caters to Acute & Forensics, Secure and medium Secure facilities, Prisons and immigration centres. This is aimed at the IPC leads of any of those facilities including managers and or nurses who may also have this role.

Managing the risks and preventing the spread of infections is a priority for all registered providers of health and care. Compliance with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities)(Amendment) Regulations 2025 (the Act) requires compliance with a range of fundamental standards to provide assurance relating to the delivery of care. The Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (DOH 2022) provides a framework for the delivery (and assurance) of standards relating to Infection Prevention and Control and forms the basis of the content of our 2-day courses.

Our range of RCN-accredited Infection Prevention & Control Link Practitioner / Leads courses provide an intensive practice-based and interactive learning opportunity for those staff in positions of responsibility for ensuring IPC standards are assessed, implemented and monitored, providing theoretical knowledge (and evidence base) for practice. This latest course includes a comprehensive updates session on the latest guidance including the Code of Practice (2022).

Our courses are all delivered by two experienced specialist nurses – which has been accredited and adapted for delivery via the Zoom online and/or any online platform. Break-out rooms and the use of chat line will ensure full interaction between trainers and delegates. IT requirements, joining and participation instructions will be provided on inquiry and on booking. All our courses come with a Certificate of Attendance and CPD.

RCN Accredited until 1st Septmeber 2027

Accreditation applies only to the educational content and not to any product

RCN cannot confirm competence of any practitioner.

Click here for the aims and outcomes of the Infection Prevention and Control Lead and Link Practitioner Course

Infection Prevention and Control Lead and Link Practitioner Course
Adult Acute, CAMHS and Forensic Mental Health Providers

2025/2026 AGENDA – DAY ONE

9.30 to 16.30 – Lunch and Comfort Breaks included

MORNING SESSION

Session 1 – Introduction

• Introducing the trainers
• Remote delivery etiquette inc. break-out rooms / group work / questions
• Agenda / Aims and Outcomes
• Introduction of delegates
• Pre-course work inc. quiz – discussion

Session 2 – Regulation and Registration

• Current regulatory framework
• Takling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Responsibilities of registered providers of acute and forensic mental health
• The role of the IPC Lead and IPC Link Practitioner

Session 3 – Science of Infection Prevention & Control

• The Chain of Infection – transmission
• Infection risks to service users and staff
• Application of the chain of infection – group work

LUNCH

AFTERNOON SESSION

Session 4 – Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) in Mental Health

• What are Standard Infection Control Precautions
• Service user placement/assessment of risk
• Hand Hygiene
• Teaching methodologies for hand hygiene
• Cough and respiratory etiquette

Session 5: Reducing risks to staff

• Personal Protective Equipment
• Prevention of sharps injuries
• Staff health

 Session 6:

• Principles of asepsis
• Microbiological specimen collection

Review of day 1

Close

AGENDA – DAY TWO

09.30 – 16.30 Lunch and Comfort Breaks included

Session 7:

• Decontamination of Medical Devices / Clinical Equipment
• Managing the environment – environmental cleaning; healthcare waste and linen management; water safety

Session 8: Prevention of significant organisms

• Sepsis overview
• Overview of significant infections

 Lunch

 AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Session 9: Management of outbreaks

• Managing outbreaks
• Outbreaks of viral gastro-enteritis – including group-work

 Session 10: Risk Assessment, Surveillance and Annual Programme

• Importance of risk assessment and the role of the Code of Practice;
• Using audit to identify risks / gaps in mental health care;
• Surveillance of infections in mental health;
• Developing an annual programme / annual report

Group-work – risk assessment

Course review and evaluation:

• Did you achieve your objectives?
• Evaluation via online poll
• Reflective Practice

 Close