R42 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Mandatory IPC training

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that all those working in a healthcare setting have mandatory infection prevention control training that includes CDI on appointment.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Scottish Government accepted this recommendation in 2015. The Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP) provides mandatory IPC training, with the IPC Zone available on the Turas Learn platform. Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) published new Infection Prevention and Control Standards in May 2022, which apply to all health and adult social care settings in Scotland and require all staff to receive appropriate IPC training on appointment and regularly thereafter (NHS Education for Scotland, 2025-01-01; Healthcare Improvement Scotland, 2022-05-01).
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 4.3 of the Scottish Government's response states that the HAI Taskforce delivery plan promoted a strategy to ensure all healthcare workers receive appropriate education and training related to HAI. The Cleanliness Champions Programme, which over 18,000 staff have completed, aims to prepare staff to promote and maintain a healthcare culture in which patient safety related to infection prevention and control is of the highest importance. This programme focuses on promoting safe practice and ensuring a safe patient environment.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Confirmed Completed
01 Jan 2025
NHS Education for Scotland Other

Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP) provides mandatory IPC training. Cleanliness Champions Programme trained over 18000 healthcare workers before integration into SIPCEP. IPC Zone available on Turas Learn platform. HIS IPC Standard 2 (Staff Education) requires mandatory IPC training for all healthcare workers.

View detailed findings

SIPCEP is a staged pathway of IPC education. Mandatory for charge nurses/ward leaders/team leaders. HIS IPC Standard 2 ensures all staff receive appropriate IPC training on appointment and regularly thereafter.

NES Infection Prevention and Control Education Te… View Source
Confirmed Completed
01 May 2022
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Other

Healthcare Improvement Scotland published new Infection Prevention and Control Standards in May 2022, applying to all health and adult social care settings in Scotland. These standards directly address many Vale of Leven recommendations on mandatory IPC training.

View detailed findings

A single set of IPC standards developed for health and adult social care using the Once for Scotland approach. Standards support quality assurance of IPC practice alongside the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM). Care Inspectorate takes account of these standards in inspection and regulation.

Infection prevention and control standards, Healt… View Source
Source
Inquiry Vale of Leven Inquiry
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
View Source
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Themes & Tags
Care home infection control Staff training and development Infection Control Training
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago