R43 Response Accepted AI-assessed

IPC staff regular training

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that Infection Control Nurses and Infection Control Doctors have regular training in infection prevention and control of which a record should be kept.

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) includes a specialist IPC training pathway. The Infection Prevention Workforce Strategic Plan 2022-2024 addresses IPC specialist career development and continuing education, and a new IPC Specialist Career Framework is currently under development (NHS Education for Scotland, 2025-01-01).
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 notes that the HAI Taskforce delivery plan included an education framework for specialists working in infection prevention and control. For nurses, accredited education programmes for specialist and advanced practice roles are available, with places usually funded by NHS boards, and the "Setting the Direction" action plan ensures their continued accessibility. Postgraduate medical education and training operates within a UK-wide framework, with curricula and standards approved by the GMC and quality-assured by NHS Education for Scotland.

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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.

Good Progress
01 Jan 2025
NHS Education for Scotland Other

SIPCEP includes specialist IPC training pathway. Infection Prevention Workforce Strategic Plan 2022-2024 addresses IPC specialist career development and continuing education. New IPC Specialist Career Framework being developed.

View detailed findings

Strategic plan launched as part of 2016-2021 framework deliverables. Recognises IPC as 'everybody's responsibility'. COVID-19 learning has informed ongoing development of specialist training.

Infection Prevention Workforce Strategic Plan 202… View Source
Source
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago