IPC staff appraisals
Health Boards should ensure that performance appraisals of infection prevention and control staff take place at least annually.
- The Scottish Government's response confirmed that the HAI Taskforce delivery plan included education and training frameworks to ensure performance appraisals of IPC staff take place at least annually. The Cleanliness Champions Programme, introduced in September 2003, has been completed by over 18,000 NHS Scotland staff.
- NHS Education for Scotland (NES) provides national education programmes for IPC, including specialist training for Infection Control Nurses and Doctors, mandatory induction training for all healthcare workers, and continuing professional development resources.
- The HCAI Strategy 2023-2025 includes workforce education as a priority, with ARHAI Scotland supporting training and competency development across NHS boards (Scottish HCAI Strategy 2023-2025 (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-healthcare-associated-infection-hcai-strategy-2023-2025/)).
- Regulatory bodies (NMC, GMC) require continuing professional development as a condition of registration, reinforced through revalidation processes.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 4.1 of the Scottish Government's response outlines that registered health professionals, including nurses and doctors, are regulated by bodies like the NMC and GMC, which set professional standards. While not explicitly stating annual appraisals for all IPC staff, the response notes that revalidation for doctors, which began in December 2012, is supported by a system of appraisal. Revised appraisal guidance for NHS Scotland has been developed, and training is provided for appraisers and "responsible officers" to ensure doctors comply with revalidation requirements.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
HIS IPC Standards (2022) Standard 1 (Leadership and Governance) includes requirements for IPC staff performance management. Infection Prevention Workforce Strategic Plan 2022-2024 addresses workforce development.
View detailed findings
National standards framework provides the basis for IPC staff appraisal requirements. Implementation is a board-level responsibility monitored through HIS inspections.