IPC workforce survey

Overview

This survey collects data from NHS organisations in order to assess the current levels of the Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) workforce.

The pandemic has not always been easy to navigate and work through. Within IPC teams, we have seen people become more creative and resourceful to keep people safe. We (NHSE/I) know that the way you work has gone through a fundamental transformation and will continue to evolve. By completing this survey, you are helping us prepare for the future by ensuring you and your teams have the skills, conditions, and information you need to progress.

Why your views matter

With your help, we will be able to gain insight into the workforce challenges and specific areas of concern that you face and make recommendations for the way forward. Your response is crucial as the outcome of the survey will be used to inform future policy and direction. It will also help us to meet the commitment of delivering the NHS Long Term Plan and Five-year Antimicrobial resistance National Action Plan by establishing a baseline of the current IPC workforce working within health and social care organisations.

Who should complete this survey?

We ask that one representative for every healthcare organisation in England should complete the survey. Ideally, the individual nominated as the lead for infection, prevention and control in your organisation should complete the survey. This is to provide a comprehensive picture of IPC resources in Integrated Care Systems, NHS provider organisations and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

What information is required in this survey?

Before starting to complete the survey, please make sure you have the ODS code for your organisation. If you are uncertain of your organisation's ODS code then please visit the ODS Code portal.

You will be asked for details about your IPC Team/ service including:

• staff numbers (whole time equivalent)
• team roles and functions
  • including governance.

One of our questions refers to a "table" to be completed. This can be found below and you are asked to upload it before submitting your final response.

If you prefer to submit a Word version of your response, a copy of the questions has been made available below. On completion, please email to england.improveipc@nhs.net 

Note that this consultation is governed by the NHS England privacy policy for consultations.

NHS England and NHS Improvement Publication Approval Reference: PAR1453

What happens next

Thank you for your time to complete this survey and support with this work in planning for the future of the IPC workforce.

This survey forms one step in this process, the information collected from this survey will help to establish a baseline of the current IPC workforce. This will be complemented by a series of workforce engagement and listening events to gain valuable feedback and insights from the IPC/ AMS workforce into the workforce challenges and specific areas of concern that you face.

The findings from the survey and engagement events will help to formulate recommendations for shaping the infection prevention and management workforce for the future.