Version 21, 8 April 2026
Updates to the previous version are highlighted in yellow
1. Antimicrobial resistance and prescribing
8 May 2024
- UK 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029 (www.gov.uk): The vision and plan were developed across the government, its agencies and administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with support from a range of stakeholders. It is supported by the UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029 | UK Government, Department for Health and Social Care, Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs
3 April 2017
- Antimicrobial Resistance: resource handbook – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Identifies current national policy, guidance and supporting materials in relation to the infection prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial stewardship in order to aid in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance | Identifies current national policy, guidance and supporting materials in relation to the infection prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial stewardship in order to aid in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance.
18 May 2022
- WHO Strategic Priorities on Antimicrobial Resistance: This document highlights the key achievements and next steps of the WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Division at Headquarters, Geneva | World Health Organization.
22 April 2016
- Overview | Antimicrobial stewardship | Quality standards QS121 | NICE: This quality standard covers the effective use of antimicrobials (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic medicines) to reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance | National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
23 January 2024
- Overview | Neonatal infection | Quality standards | NICE: This quality standard covers preventing infection in newborn babies, treating pregnant women whose babies are at risk of infection, and treating newborn babies with suspected or confirmed infection. It includes when to give antibiotics to prevent and treat neonatal infection. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement – National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence
2020
- FGDP(UK) and FDS publish antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for all dentists — Royal College of Surgeons (rcseng.ac.uk): The aim of this guidance is to help healthcare prescribers understand the role of antimicrobial agents in management of oral and dental infections. The guidance also aims to help rationalise and improve standards of antimicrobial prescribing within dentistry and to improve patient care | Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and Faculty of Dental Surgery.
March 2018
- Treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: report of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy/Healthcare Infection Society/British Infection Association Joint Working Party† | Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy | Oxford Academic (oup.com): Advises on the treatment of infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria. It also describes best practice in antimicrobial prescribing | Joint working party of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Healthcare Infection Society and British Infection Association.
November 2016
- Prevention and control of multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: recommendations from a Joint Working Party – Journal of Hospital Infection: Guidance on screening (testing), treatment and precautions needed to prevent the spread of MDR Gram-negative bacteria. The guidance describes appropriate infection prevention and control precautions to include hand hygiene, equipment and environmental cleaning and guidance on screening for MDR Gram-negative bacteria | Journal of Hospital Infection working party.
June 2025
- AMR local indicators: AMR local indicators are publicly available data intended to raise awareness of antibiotic prescribing, AMR, HCAI, IPC and AMS; and to facilitate the development of local action plans | UK Healthy Security Agency – Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
2. General IPC
17 April 2014
- Overview | Infection prevention and control | Quality standards | NICE: This quality standard covers preventing and controlling infection in adults, young people and children receiving healthcare in primary, community and secondary care settings. It includes preventing healthcare-associated infections that develop because of treatment or from being in a healthcare setting. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
1 Nov 2016
- WHO guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level: These new guidelines on the core components of IPC programmes at the national and facility level will enhance the capacity of Member States to develop and implement effective technical and behaviour modifying interventions. They are also intended to support countries in the development of their own national protocols for IPC and AMR action plans and to support health care facilities as they develop or strengthen their own approaches to IPC. World Health Organization.
18 Nov 2019
- Minimum requirements for infection prevention and control programmes: The purpose of this document is to present and promote the minimum requirements for IPC programmes at the national and health care facility level, identified by expert consensus according to available evidence and in the context of the WHO core components. World Health Organization.
28 Apr 2022
- Health and Care Act 2022: An Act to make provision about health and social care. UK Government.
13 Dec 2022
- Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance: This document sets out the code of practice (the code) on the prevention and control of infections under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (H&SCA 2008). This act sets out the overall framework for the regulation of health and adult social care activities by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It will apply to registered providers of all health and adult social care in England. Department of Health and Social Care.
25 May 2022
- Global Strategy on Infection Prevention and Control: Draft resolution proposed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Colombia, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vanuatu. World Health Organization.
20 Jun 2022
- Standard precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire: This aide-memoire presents a concise overview of important advice for implementation of standard precautions and key elements at a glance. World Health Organization.
20 Jun 2022
- Transmission-based precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire: This aide-memoire provides important advice for implementation of transmission based precautions and key elements on TBP in health care. World Health Organization.
13 Dec 2022
- Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance: This document sets out the code of practice (the code) on the prevention and control of infections under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (H&SCA 2008). This act sets out the overall framework for the regulation of health and adult social care activities by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It will apply to registered providers of all health and adult social care in England. Department of Health and Social Care.
13 June 2022
- National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Addendum for Infection Prevention and Control within Neonatal Settings (NNU): This addendum provides additional guidance to chapters 1,2 and 3 of the NIPCM (Scotland) specific to NNUs including, placement of neonates/assessment of infection risk, management of healthcare infection incidents, outbreaks and data exceedances, and personal care of neonates. National Services Scotland.
16 July 2025
- NHS England Winter planning and preparedness: Ensuring robust winter preparedness is a key priority for the NHS England Transformation Executive. This resource sets out NHS England’s approach to winter planning for 2025.
3. Aseptic technique
4 June 2021
- Understanding Aseptic Technique | Royal College of Nursing: Aseptic technique is recognised as an essential component of all infection prevention programmes but terminology used to define it varies. This publication is an RCN investigation into clinical views to guide the practice of aseptic technique. BD have funded this report. BD has had no influence on, or involvement in its content. Royal College of Nursing.
1 January 2014
- epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England: This second update provides systematically developed, evidence-based broad statements (principles) of good practice for the preventions of HCAI in hospitals. This guideline includes recommendations on asepsis. Journal of Hospital Infection.
4. Preventing infections associated with vascular access devices
1 January 2014
- epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England: This second update provides systematically developed, evidence-based broad statements (principles) of good practice for the preventions of HCAI in hospitals. This guideline includes recommendations for preventing infections associated with the use of intravascular access devices. Journal of Hospital Infection.
5. Preventing urinary tract infections
23 November 2018
- Overview | Urinary tract infection (catheter-associated): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE: This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for catheter-associated urinary tract infection in children, young people and adults. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
12 December 2024
- Overview | Urinary tract infection (recurrent): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance NG122 | NICE: This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in children, young people and adults who do not have a catheter. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
31 October 2018
- Overview | Urinary tract infection (lower): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE: This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for lower urinary tract infection (also called cystitis) in children, young people and adults who do not have a catheter. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
27 July 2022
- Overview | Urinary tract infection in under 16s: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE: This guideline covers diagnosing and managing first or recurrent upper or lower urinary tract infections in infants, children and young people. It aims to achieve more consistent clinical practice, based on accurate diagnosis and effective management. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
27 July 2022
- Overview | Urinary tract infection in children and young people | Quality standards | NICE: This quality standard covers diagnosing and managing urinary tract infection in infants, children and young people (under 16). It includes new and recurrent infections of the upper or lower urinary tract. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
11 June 2015
- Overview | Urinary tract infections in adults | Quality standards | NICE: This quality standard covers diagnosing and managing urinary tract infection in adults (aged 16 and over), including adults using urinary catheters. It includes assessment, antibiotic treatment and referral for specialist assessment. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
18 September 2013
- Overview | Lower urinary tract symptoms in men | Quality standards | NICE: This quality standard covers diagnosing and managing lower urinary tract symptoms in men (aged 18 and over). It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
07 July 2025
- Urinary tract infection: diagnostic tools for primary care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Quick reference materials for primary care to provide a simple, effective, economical and empirical approach to the diagnosis of urinary tract infections and minimise the risk of treatment failure and emergence of antibiotic resistance so improving safe care. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency).
1 January 2014
- epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England: This second update provides systematically developed, evidence-based broad statements (principles) of good practice for the preventions of HCAI in hospitals. This guideline includes recommendations for preventing infections associated with the use of short-term indwelling urethral catheters. Journal of Hospital Infection.
No date
- NHS England » Urinary catheter tools: The urinary catheter tools have been developed collaboratively with national experts to support providers in delivering consistent evidence based catheter care. The use of the tools needs to be supported by strong leadership and education. NHS England.
No date
- DRIPP Urinary Catheter Resources: A urinary catheter quick reference guide and summary of evidence. Improving Device Related Infection Prevention Practice (DRIPP).
6. Surgical site infection
19 August 2020
- Overview | Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment | Guidance | NICE: This guideline covers preventing and treating surgical site infections in adults, young people and children who are having a surgical procedure involving a cut through the skin. It focuses on methods used before, during and after surgery to minimise the risk of infection. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
1 December 2018
- Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection, 2nd edition: Guidance for the prevention of SSI based 28 systematic reviews of the evidence. Includes a list of 29 concrete recommendations on 23 topics for the prevention of SSI in the pre-, intra and postoperative periods. World Health Organization.
7. Respiratory infections (including pneumonia)
2 September 2025
- Pneumonia: diagnosis and management: This guideline covers diagnosing, assessing, and treating community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia, including bacterial pneumonia secondary to COVID-19, in babies over 1 month (corrected gestational age), children, young people and adults. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
16 September 2019
- Overview | Pneumonia (hospital-acquired): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE: This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for hospital‑acquired pneumonia. It does not cover ventilator‑associated pneumonia. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
31 October 2023
- Overview | Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE: This guideline was developed before the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers diagnosing and managing pneumonia in adults who do not have COVID-19. It aims to improve accurate assessment and diagnosis of pneumonia to help guide antibiotic prescribing and ensure that people receive the right treatment. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
4 December 2015
- National guidance for the management of children in hospital with viral respiratory tract infections (2025): These recommendations on the management of children in hospital with viral respiratory tract infections in hospital settings are for clinicians to support planning in partnership with local infection prevention control teams. While some recommendations describe organisational structures in England, services in the devolved nations are encouraged to adopt them to fit local models. This guidance is supported by the Infection Prevention Society.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
11 January 2023
- XBB.1.5 Rapid risk assessment: Rapid risk assessment by the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) of the public health risk associated with this variant. World Health Organization.
8. Health technical memoranda/Health building notes
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 00) Building engineering in the health sector: HTM 00 provides guidance on the design, installation and operation of a healthcare facility from an engineering and environmental perspective. HTM 00 is not intended to cover every possible scenario, for example where a patient is receiving treatment in their own home. This 2014 edition supersedes all previous versions of HTM 00. Department for Health and Social Care.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 03-01) Specialised ventilation for healthcare buildings: These documents give comprehensive advice and guidance on the legal requirements, design implications, maintenance and operation of specialised ventilation in healthcare premises providing acute care. In other types of healthcare a risk assessment of the nature of the treatment being delivered, condition of the patients and intensity of use needs to be undertaken by those responsible for the facility in order to determine the extent to which this guidance will be applicable. Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 (2021) supersedes all previous versions of Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 – ‘Specialised ventilation in healthcare premises’ (2007). It also supersedes HTM 2025 (1994) and DV4 (1983). Department for Health and Social Care.
27 August 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 04-01) Safe water in healthcare premises: This Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) gives guidance on the legal requirements, design applications, maintenance and operation of hot and cold water supply, storage and distribution systems in all types of healthcare premises. The guidance is for: healthcare management water safety groups design engineers estate managers operations managers contractors supply chain businesses It also provides advice and guidance on the control and management of the risk posed by Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other water borne pathogens within a healthcare setting. Department for Health and Social Care.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 07-01) Management and disposal of healthcare waste: HTM 07-01 details the environmental benefits of the safe management and disposal of healthcare waste, It also presents opportunities for cost savings, safer working practices and reducing carbon emissions related to the management of waste. Department of Health and Social Care.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 01-01) Decontamination of surgical instruments: Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-01 explains the management of decontamination and the various ways to sterilize reusable medical devices used in acute care. Department for Health and Social Care.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 01-04) Decontamination of linen for health and social care: Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-04 gives guidance for those who process linen used in health and adult social care settings, such as: laundries; launderette operators; linen processors. Department for Health and Social Care.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 01-05) Decontamination in primary care dental practices: HTM 01-05 is intended to raise the quality of decontamination work in primary care dental services by covering the decontamination of reusable instruments within dental facilities. Department for Health and Social Care.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 01-06) Management and decontamination of flexible endoscopes: Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-06 provides information on the management and decontamination of flexible endoscopes. The guidance consists of 5 parts: policy and management; design and installation; operational management; validation and verification (including storage/drying cabinets); testing methods. Department for Health and Social Care.
30 January 2024
- NHS England » (HBN 00-09) Infection control in the built environment: This building note details each stage of a project, from initial concept through to post-project evaluation, in relation to infection control. A building’s design can help infection prevention and control by providing an environment that is easy to clean and maintain. It is important that these features are designed into a project from the beginning. Department for Health and Social Care.
31 January 2024
- NHS England » (HBN 00-10) Design for flooring, walls, ceilings, sanitary ware and windows: HBN 00-10 part A to D: includes guidance on flooring, walls and ceilings, sanitary assemblies and windows in healthcare facilities. These documents outline the policy and performance requirements for flooring, walls, ceilings, sanitary assemblies and windows used in healthcare facilities. NHS England.
26 January 2024
- NHS England » (HTM 07-01) Management and disposal of healthcare waste: HTM 07-01 details the environmental benefits of the safe management and disposal of healthcare waste, It also presents opportunities for cost savings, safer working practices and reducing carbon emissions related to the management of waste. Department of Health and Social Care.
13 November 2023
- Health Building Note 16-01: Facilities for mortuaries, including body stores and post-mortem services: This publication has been produced for use by NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts. However, it has been designed to be useful for other organisations involved in the operation, planning or use of mortuary and post-mortem facilities in England, for either joint/shared service or individual organisation use. This publication replaces HBN 20 – ‘Facilities for mortuary and post-mortem room services’ (2005). NHS England.
9. Hand hygiene
15 January 2009
- WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care: The WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care provide health-care workers (HCWs), hospital administrators and health authorities with a thorough review of evidence on hand hygiene in health care and specific recommendations to improve practices and reduce transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to patients and HCWs. The present Guidelines are intended to be implemented in any situation in which health care is delivered either to a patient or to a specific group in a population. Therefore, this concept applies to all settings where health care is permanently or occasionally performed, such as home care by birth attendants. World Health Organization.
5 May 2012
- Hand hygiene in outpatient and home-based care and long-term care facilities: a guide to the application of the WHO multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy and the “My Five Moments For Hand Hygiene” approach. The scope of this document is to address practical aspects related to the performance of routine hand hygiene while providing outpatient care. World Health Organization.
9 February 2009
- A guide to the implementation of the WHO multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy. This guide to implementation has been developed to assist health-care facilities to implement improvements in hand hygiene in accordance with the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. World Health Organization.
No date
- Skin at work. Work-related skin disease (eg dermatitis) can affect people in a wide range of occupations. This site shows how the APC approach (avoid, protect, check) can reduce the chances of suffering painful and sometimes debilitating skin conditions. World Health Organization.
10. Personal protective equipment
No date
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work (hse.gov.uk): Resources to support managing risks using PPE, selection and use, maintenance, using the right type of PPE, and product safety and supply. Health and Safety Executive.
No date
- Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) (hse.gov.uk). This website provides information and tools to help employers select and manage the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace. The information is applicable to disposable and reusable masks, breathing apparatus and powered respirators. Health and Safety Executive.
2013
- Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide (hse.gov.uk). This fourth edition provides essential guidance on why respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be used, what the law says and how to select RPE that is adequate and suitable. It also includes a useful dos and don’ts list for the management and supervision of RPE use. The guidance is aimed principally at employers and the self-employed who wear, or are responsible for workers who wear, RPE. It will also be useful for health and safety specialists, manufacturers and suppliers of RPE. It has been prepared in consultation with industry and updates the 2005 edition. Health and Safety Executive.
No date
- Glove Awareness Week Resources | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk). Resources for use in the workplace and online to raise awareness of appropriate glove use. Royal College of Nursing.
15 October 2025
- Guidelines on hand hygiene in community settings (World Health Organization). These guidelines are concerned with the practice of hand hygiene to protect community health outcomes, in particular, the reduction of diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections. They are particularly relevant to long-term development contexts, complementing existing recommendations on hand hygiene in acute humanitarian response settings available through the Sphere standards for promotion of water, sanitation and hygiene. The guidelines are intended for use in a routine health system context to improve population health, and also during health emergencies, as part of broader response strategies.
October 2025
- Guidance on respiratory protective equipment (RPE) fit testing (Health and Safety Executive). This guidance gives advice on RPE fit testing for the employer and those conducting fit tests. It also provides information on RPE fit testing methods, what can be achieved from a fit test and the core information to be included in a fit test report.
11. Safe management of patient care equipment and the care environment
1 July 2023
- Off-label use of a medical device – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Guidance on the off-label use of medical devices in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
28 January 2021
- Single-use medical devices: implications and consequences of re-use – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Guidance for healthcare professionals on using single-use medical devices. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
1 December 2013
- Single-use medical devices: leaflet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). What ‘single-use’ means and what symbol is used by manufacturers to show this. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
1 August 2013
- Top 10 tips on endoscope decontamination – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Guidance for healthcare professionals on effectively decontaminating endoscopes. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
22 January 2020
- Overview | Reducing the risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) from surgical instruments used for interventional procedures on high-risk tissues | Guidance | NICE. Evidence-based recommendations on reducing the risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) from surgical instruments used for interventional procedures on high-risk tissues. These procedures on high-risk tissues are intradural surgery on the brain (including the pituitary gland) and spinal cord, neuroendoscopy, and surgery on the retina or optic nerve. National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.
17 May 2024
- Medical devices regulations: compliance and enforcement – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Information on MHRA’s enforcement duties and how to report a non-compliant medical device. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
5 September 2016
- Decontamination and reprocessing of medical devices for health-care facilities (who.int). Instrument to provide guidance to health managers and health workers on required infrastructures and standard procedures for effective sterilization, and decontamination reprocessing of medical devices. World Health Organization.
5 July 2016
- Single-use medical devices – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). UK guidance on re-manufacturing of Single-use medical devices. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
25 February 2021
- Managing medical devices – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Guidance for healthcare and social services organisations on managing medical devices in practice. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
31 October 2014
- Symbols used on medical devices: poster – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Some of the different symbols used on medical devices. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
11 April 2014
- Devices in practice: checklists for using medical devices – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Checklists providing a practical guide to using medical devices. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
March 2016
- Decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits and related items at home and in hospital: guidance from a Joint Working Group of the Healthcare Infection Society and Infection Prevention Society (his.org.uk). This guidance provides practical recommendations to support the safe decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits for healthcare professionals to use and communicate to other groups such as parents and carers. Healthcare Infection Society and Infection Prevention Society.
June 2022
- Final rinse water quality for flexible endoscopy to minimize the risk of post-endoscopic infection. Report from Healthcare Infection Society Working Party – Journal of Hospital Infection. This evidence- and expert-based guidance document aims to improve patient safety and reduce risks of decontamination-related healthcare-associated infections by standardising the interpretation of endoscopy final rinse water results through monitoring and assessing the risk of infection. Healthcare Infection Society.
1 June 2022
- Automated room decontamination: report of a Healthcare Infection Society Working Party – Journal of Hospital Infection. Aims to provide useful, generic information that will help healthcare professionals make a well-informed choice if they are intending to buy or rent/lease the automated technology. The aim is to provide guidance on the types of device available, the various active chemicals (where relevant), the biocidal mechanism underpinning the technology, suggested information to be sought from the supplier before purchase, and general precautions recommended for the safe and effective use of the equipment. Healthcare Infection Society.
1 January 2019
- Guidance for the decontamination of intracavity medical devices: the report of a working group of the Healthcare Infection Society – Journal of Hospital Infection. The guidance contained in this report is intended to be used by infection prevention and control teams, decontamination leads, and device users/reprocessors to help in their local approach to risk assessment and decontamination of these devices. Healthcare Infection Society.
June 2020
- 2020 Guidance on Decontamination of Equipment for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy – The British Society of Gastroenterology. Revised guidance on the decontamination of equipment for gastrointestinal endoscopy. British Society of Gastroenterology.
18 November 2022
- Decontamination and reprocessing of medical devices for health care facilities: aide-memoire. This aide-memoire presents a concise overview of important advice and key elements of decontaminating and reprocessing of medical devices for health care facilities. World Health Organization.
2 May 2025
- Infection prevention and control: incubators on neonatal units. This document sets out to highlight and reinforce general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with local guidance and manufacturer’s instructions when decontaminating and handling incubators in neonatal units during and after patient use. UK Health Security Agency.
24 January 2022
- BS 8580-2:2022 Water quality. Risk assessments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne pathogens. Code of practice. BS 8580-2 is a new British Standard recommending a Pseudomonas aeruginosa risk assessment process and supplying information and support on how to understand microbial hazards, prioritize actions and minimize risks. British Standards Institution.
30 January 2025
- Good infection prevention practice: using ultrasound gel – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This document provides guidance on the safe use of ultrasound gel to reduce risk of transmission of infection arising from these products. UK Health Security Agency.
6 February 2025
- National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025. The National standards of healthcare cleanliness 2025 encompass all cleaning tasks throughout the NHS regardless of which department is responsible for it. They are based around being easy to use; freedom within a framework; fit for the future; efficacy of the cleaning process; cleanliness which provides assurance; and transparency of results. NHS England.
2 October 2023
- Application of ultraviolet (UVC) devices for air cleaning in occupied healthcare spaces: guidance and standards. This document has been written as an interim specification to set the basic standard required for UVC devices to be utilised in healthcare and patient related settings. This edition is primarily aimed at portable and semi fixed (wall-mounted) devices. NHS England.
2 October 2023
- Application of HEPA filter devices for air cleaning in healthcare spaces: guidance and standards. This guidance has been written as an interim specification to set the basic standard required for HEPA filter devices to be utilised in healthcare and patient-related settings. This edition is primarily aimed at portable and semi fixed (wall-mounted) devices. NHS England.
2 June 2025
- Good IPC practice for the cleaning and handling of incubators and other equipment in neonatal units – GOV.UK. This document sets out to highlight and reinforce general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with local guidance and manufacturer’s instructions when decontaminating and handling incubators in neonatal units during and after patient use. UK Health Security Agency.
30 January 2025
- The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination: This document provides an accessible introduction to the essential principles, processes, and standards involved in the decontamination of reusable medical devices. Designed as a single, easy‑to‑navigate source, it uses minimal text supported by images, tables, and flow charts to help healthcare practitioners understand core concepts and signpost them to more detailed guidance. Decontamination Professional Experts Communications Forum (DPECF)
12. IPC during care of the deceased
July 2018
- Managing infection risks when handling the deceased – HSG283 – HSE: Guidance for the mortuary, post-mortem room and funeral premises, and during exhumation. Health and Safety Executive
13. Safe management of linen
28 March 2023
- NHS England » Uniforms and workwear: guidance for NHS employers: This publication supports the specific requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice relating to uniform and workwear policies, and the need to ensure that they support effective hand hygiene. Advise on the washing of uniforms is included. NHS England.
14. Occupational safety including the prevention of sharps injuries
2013
No date
- Blood-borne viruses (BBV) – Blood-borne viruses (BBV): This website gives employees and employers detailed guidance on; how to comply with the law; how to assess and ways to reduce the risks of workplace exposure to blood-borne viruses; how to manage incidences of exposure. Health and Safety Executive.
30 March 2016
- General dentistry: exposure prone procedure categorisation – GOV.UK: Exposure prone procedures (EPPs) and non EPPs carried out in general dentistry, categorised by levels of risk of bleed-back, compiled by UKAP. Public Health England.
11 June 2025
- Immunisation against infectious disease – GOV.UK: The Green Book has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures, for vaccine preventable infectious diseases in the UK. UK Health Security Agency.
15 January 2025
- BBVs in healthcare workers: health clearance and management: Integrated guidance on health clearance of healthcare workers and the management of healthcare workers living with bloodborne viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV). UK Health Security Agency.
15. High consequence infectious diseases
15 January 2026
- High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) – GOV.UK: Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England. UK Health Security Agency.
13 January 2026
- Viral haemorrhagic fever: ACDP algorithm and guidance on management of patients – GOV.UK: This document provides guidance on the risk assessment and management of patients in the United Kingdom in whom infection with a viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) should be considered or is confirmed. This guidance aims to eliminate or minimise the risk of transmission to healthcare workers and others coming into contact with an infected patient or their samples. Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP).
23 October 2024
- VHF_Algo.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk): Risk assessment algorithm for managing suspected (low and high possibility) and confirmed cases of VHD | Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)
16. Management of outbreaks
8 September 2025
- Communicable disease outbreak management: operational guidance – GOV.UK: Roles and responsibilities of key agencies and the agreed procedures during local and national outbreak investigations. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency).
6 June 2008
- Pandemic Flu – Workplace Guidance: This guidance is intended to inform planning for a pandemic form of influenza that causes severe symptoms in a large proportion of those infected. Health and Safety Executive.
No date
- Early warning alert and response in emergencies: an operational guide: This operational guidance aims to guide decision-making on when and how to implement and strengthen Early Warning Alert and Response (EWAR) in preparation for and response to emergencies. World Health Organization.
17. Healthcare associated infection surveillance and reporting
4 January 2021
- Mandatory healthcare associated infection surveillance: data quality statement: Data quality statements for the mandatory surveillance of healthcare associated infection (HCAI). UK Health Security Agency.
1 August 2017
- Gram-negative bacteria: prevention, surveillance and epidemiology: The characteristics, management and surveillance of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency).
20 September 2022
- Clostridioides difficile: guidance, data and analysis: The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile). UK Health Security Agency.
4 October 2017
- Escherichia coli (E. coli): guidance, data and analysis: The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Escherichia coli (E. coli). UK Health Security Agency.
12 July 2018
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: guidance, data and analysis: The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. UK Health Security Agency.
12 July 2018
- Klebsiella species: guidance, data and analysis: The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Klebsiella species UK Health Security Agency.
22 January 2020
- Staphylococcus aureus: guidance, data and analysis: The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus. UK Health Security Agency.
24 June 2025
- Surgical site infection (SSI): guidance, data and analysis: UK Health Security Agency helps hospitals record incidents of surgical site infection (SSI), to help improve surgical practice and prevent further infections. UK Health Security Agency.
1 August 2016
- Healthcare associated infections (HAI): point prevalence survey, England: A point prevalence survey on levels of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and levels of antimicrobial use in hospitals in England in 2016. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency).
18. Risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls
22 January 2024
- Practical steps towards completing a local risk assessment, primary care, community care and outpatient settings: Tool to support organisations, practices and employers in primary care, community care, and outpatient settings to undertake a local risk assessment in the context of managing seasonal respiratory viral infections focussing on influenza, SARS- CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) based on the measures as prioritised in the hierarchy of controls. NHS England.
22 January 2024
- Practical steps towards completing a local risk assessment, acute inpatient areas: Tool to support organisations, practices and employers to undertake a local risk assessment in the context of managing seasonal respiratory viral infections focussing on influenza, SARS- CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) based on the measures as prioritised in the hierarchy of controls. NHS England.
September 2022
- Dental framework – Supporting guidance for primary and community care dental settings: This dental framework has been designed to support practices in identifying hazards and risks with guidance on measures that should be maintained as we move to new, improved, and safer ways of working. In balancing risks appropriately, the framework provides a consistent handrail applicable to the generic dental practice environment. NHS England.
2013
- Control of substances hazardous to health (sixth edition) – L5: The sixth edition of this Approved Code of Practice and guidance provides practical advice to help duty holders comply with the requirements of the COSHH Regulations. Health and Safety Executive.
8 April 2025
- National infection prevention and control board assurance framework: The Board Assurance Framework (BAF) provides assurance to trust boards, that organisational compliance has been systematically reviewed by assessing the measures taken in line with the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Code of Practice (COP). NHS England.
October 2024
- Isolation prioritisation tool: The isolation prioritisation tool is intended to provide a systematic framework that can be used by healthcare staff in organisations to assist in the prioritisation of isolation rooms for infection prevention and control. NHS England.
19. IPC in the ambulance service
31 October 2025
- Infection Prevention and Control Archives – aace.org.uk: IPC resources for ambulance services. Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.
April 2022
- IPC Guidance changes to SRIs in Health and Care settings – NASIPCG – aace.org.uk: IPC Guidance changes to SRIs in Health and Care settings – NASIPCG, April 2022. Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.
April 2022
- Infection Prevention and Control and Working Safely guidance for Ambulance Trusts: FAQs – NASIPCG – aace.org.uk:Infection Prevention and Control and Working Safely guidance for Ambulance Trusts: FAQs – NASIPCG, April 2022. Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.
20. IPC in prisons, education, childcare and social care settings
21 March 2026
- Health protection in education and childcare settings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): A practical guide for staff on managing cases of infectious diseases in education and childcare settings – UK Health Security Agency
27 March 2026
- Preventing and managing bacterial wound infections in prison – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Guidance on managing and preventing the spread of group A streptococcal (GAS) infection and other skin and soft tissue infections in prisons and secure settings. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)
1 March 2024
- Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): This resource contains general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with advice and guidance on managing specific infections. It is for those responsible for setting and maintaining standards of IPC within adult social care in England – Department for Health and Social Care
31 May 2022:
- Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): This resource contains general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with advice and guidance on managing specific infections. It is for those responsible for setting and maintaining standards of IPC within adult social care in England. Department for Health and Social Care
18 February 2013
- Care homes: infection prevention and control – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Information resource for care home workers about preventing and controlling infection in care homes. Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)
No date
- React To Infection: Identifying, Preventing and Managing Influenza – A guide for your care home: React to Infection is divided into two sets of resources which explain how to identify, prevent and manage Influenza and Norovirus in care homes. Health Protection Scotland on behalf of NHS Improvement. Designed and produced by Crocodile house.
15 May 2025
- Infection prevention and control in care homes: This site contains questions and prompts used by CQC inspectors to look at how well staff and people living in care homes are protected by infection prevention and control (IPC). Care Quality Commission
05 January 2026
- Infection prevention and control for multidrug-resistant organisms in adult social care settings (UK Health Security Agency). This guidance is for staff and managers working in adult social care settings (ASC). It gives information on multidrug-resistant organisms and principles on how to prevent the spread of these pathogens.
21. Sustainability
24 July 2022
- Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service: This report provides a detailed account of the NHS’ modelling and analytics underpinning the latest NHS carbon footprint, trajectories to net zero and the interventions required to achieve that ambition. It lays out the direction, scale and pace of change. It describes an iterative and adaptive approach, which will periodically review progress and aims to increase the level of ambition over time. NHS England.
No date
- Green Surgery – Reducing the environmental impact of surgical care: The Green Surgery report provides initiatives and recommendations to reduce the adverse impact of surgical care on the environment, based upon evidence synthesis and case studies. It also considers barriers and facilitators to implementation. Key contributors of emissions in the operating theatre include products (in particular single-use items), energy consumption, and anaesthetic gases (many of which are powerful greenhouse gases). UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.
22. Resources for appropriate glove use
2018
- Glove awareness | Campaigns | Royal College of Nursing: The RCN Glove Awareness campaign encourages nursing staff to use disposable gloves only when clinically necessary and to prioritise proper hand hygiene instead of routine glove use where no infection risk exists. Royal College of Nursing
May 2018
- RCN-guidance-Tools-of-the-Trade.pdf: A professional clinical guidance document for health care workers (including nurses and assistants) that explains how and when gloves should be used, how inappropriate glove use affects IPC and staff skin health, and how to prevent work related contact dermatitis. Royal College of Nursing
No date
- Greener NHS: Gloves off campaign: Clear list of when gloves are not required (vital signs, feeding, admin tasks, pushing equipment, dispensing medicines, observations, documentation, meal trays). Education on risks of dermatitis and reduced hand hygiene when gloves are overused. Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
August 2022
- NHS England – North West » Case study – Gloves-Off: Reduce unnecessary glove use, improve sustainability, and support better hand hygiene practices through the gloves off campaign which included patient engagement (such as posters) and collaborating with procurement, audits and regular campaign meetings. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
2023
- The Walton Centre joins the ‘Gloves Off’ campaign to improve infection prevention and support a greener future | News | The Walton Centre Website: An initiative aimed at reducing unnecessary use of non-sterile disposable gloves when caring for patients who are not infectious. The focus is on encouraging staff to risk-assess when glove use is truly needed and to prioritise excellent hand hygiene, which is equally effective for preventing infection in many situations. The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
No date
- Gloves off: West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership: A regional awareness initiative across West Yorkshire health and care services aimed at reducing unnecessary use of disposable gloves and promoting effective hand hygiene when appropriate instead of routine glove use. West Yorkshire Health & Care Partnerships
12 October 2023
- Using gloves appropriately in healthcare: A new animation for their ‘Gloves off’ campaign highlighting the critical importance of hand hygiene and proper glove usage in healthcare – complementing the getting back to basics theme. Infection Prevention Society
No date
- Gloves off in critical care: A practical resource designed to help healthcare teams in intensive care settings reduce unnecessary use of disposable gloves and improve hand hygiene practices. Intensive Care Society
September 2023
- Gloves Off Campaign information for parents, carers and relatives: This leaflet explains to patients, parents, carers and relatives why the Trust is changing how disposable gloves are used in its hospitals and what it means for people receiving care. University Hospitals Sussex
October 2024
- Reducing the Unnecessary Use of Non-Sterile Gloves: Aims to reduce unnecessary use of non-sterile gloves across NHS Scotland – in operating theatres, wards, outpatients and other clinical settings. The initiative responds to sustained high glove usage since the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated infection control, environmental, and financial impacts. National Green Theatres Programme (part of NHS Scotland’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery)
Publication reference: PR00206