The Scottish Government has launched a new 10-year Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Strategy, setting out a vision to minimise preventable infections across all health and social care settings. This applies to NHS services, primary care, and social care providers registered with the Care Inspectorate, among others, reflecting a whole-system approach to infection prevention.
The strategy is built around six priority areas, including strengthening leadership and governance, supporting a skilled workforce, embedding person-centred care, improving surveillance and data, promoting innovation and research, and ensuring infection prevention is integrated into service planning. It also places a strong emphasis on partnership working and tackling health inequalities.
The document provides a long-term framework to guide future delivery. The first multi-year action plan – covering a three-year implementation period – is under development.
Ministers say the strategy will help Scotland respond to emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance while ensuring safer care for patients, staff and the wider public over the next decade.
