CQC registration document guidance

Infection Prevention and Control Policy

An Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Policy is one of the core CQC registration documents. It should show how your service will identify, prevent, monitor and manage infection risks in the environment where care will be delivered.

Why this matters for your registration

  • •CQC wants evidence that you understand infection risks and can manage them safely.
  • •Your policy should reflect Regulation 12 and relevant infection prevention guidance.
  • •It should be tailored to your service, including domestic settings where care is delivered in people's homes.

What you should prepare

  • •How infection risks will be identified, assessed, recorded and reviewed.
  • •How infection prevention will be monitored through audits, checks and learning.
  • •Clear arrangements for hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, waste and decontamination.
  • •Laundry, uniforms and domestic-environment arrangements where relevant.
  • •How staff vaccination, training and service-user needs will be considered.

Before you submit

  • •Make sure the policy is specific to your service and not generic.
  • •Explain clearly how IPC will work in homes if you are providing domiciliary or supported living care.
  • •Show how infection control links with governance, training and risk management.
  • •Consider accessible information where people may need support to understand infection-control arrangements.