Care homes conference confronts the infection control challenge

9 April 2009

The Health Protection Agency is holding a one day conference in London on 21 May, in partnership with the Infection Prevention Society, to make care homes more aware of infection control and how they can protect their residents.

The conference will also see the launch of a new educational DVD to help care home staff tackle the key areas of infection prevention and control.

Health professionals who share responsibility in this important area will be brought together for the event. These include care home managers, infection control specialists, Healthcare Associated Infection leads for Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities, inspectors and regulators, community nurses, adult care services staff and health protection units. Representatives from key organisations such as the Care Quality Commission, Department of Health, Health Protection Agency, Infection Prevention Society, National Patient Safety Agency, local authorities and care home providers will be speaking on the day.

Issues of concern for care homes will be addressed by the speakers and opportunities for improving infection control within a care home environment will be discussed. The sessions will focus on a variety of topics including:

• the new Code of Practice;
• the changing requirements for regulation and compliance;
• new research;
• problems and solutions; and
• what to do in an outbreak.

There will be plenty of time for discussion and delegates will be able to put their questions to the speakers who have a range of expertise in the field of infection prevention and control.

If you would like to reserve a place on the conference, please book online at
www.hpa-events.org.uk/CareHomes. The website has full details about the programme and speakers. Potential delegates who have questions about the event can contact the Health Protection Agency's conference and events team by emailing events@hpa.org.uk.

Films from the educational DVD are available to download from the Health Protection Agency's website.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Conference title: Infection prevention and control in care homes
Date: Thursday 21 May 2009
Time: 9am - 4pm
Venue: Hilton London Metropole Hotel, 225 Edgware Road, London W2 1JU
Cost: £90

Media enquiries:
Tycie West, Press Officer - HPA London
020 7759 2834 / tycie.west@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 9 April 2009