The Scottish Government

Scottish Government Health Directorate led Publications

Letter to Chief Executives Regarding Interim Dress Code (2008) Scottish Government Health Directorate

• A letter to all Health Board Chief Executives informing them of new interim dress code guidance for NHS Scotland

NHS Scotland Interim Dress Code Guidance (2008) Scottish Government Health Directorate

• An interim guidance document laying out evidence-based principles to inform local policies for staff dress codes.

Prudent Antimicrobial Prescribing : The Scottish Action Plan for Managing Antibiotic Resistance and Reducing Antibiotic Related Clostridium difficile Associated Disease CEL(2008)30 Scottish Governmnet Health DirectorateChief

• Executive Letter to Boards advising on good antimicrobial practice as relating to Clostridium difficile.

The Scottish Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (ScotMARAP) (2008) Scottish Government Health Directorate

• Follows on from recommendations from Antimicrobial prescribing policy and practice in Scotland (SEHD 2005) and lays out good prescribing practice with the aim of minimising the risk of the development of antimicrobial resistances.

Information Resource Pack on the Prevention of Healthcare Associated Pneumonia (2008) Scottish Government Health Directorate

• Resource pack on the prevention of pneumonias in hospitals.

• This letter sets out the approach to be taken by NHS Boards and Special Health Boards in ensuring effective staff screening processes in the event of an incident or outbreak of infection, and the management of staff who test positive or where treatment fails.

A revised framework for national surveillance of healthcare associated infection in Scotland.HDL(2006)38

• This letter updates the framework for National Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) in Scotland which was originally set out in HDL(2001)57. The revised framework reflects policy developments since the issue of that HDL and forms part of the work programme for the Ministerial HAI Task Force.

Decontamination: treatment of patients in the independent healthcare sector.HDL(2006)45

• The purpose of this HDL is to alert NHS boards to the need to include in contracts with the independent healthcare sector for the surgical treatment of NHS patients, a clause on decontamination of reusable surgical instruments and other medical devices to protect patients from the risks of infection.

National hand hygiene campaign for Scotland.CNO(2006)1

• The purpose of this letter was to update stakeholders on the progress and plans for the hand hygiene campaign.

National hand hygiene campaign for Scotland: local health board co-ordinator: job description and funding.CNO(2006)02

• Details of funding and job descriptions of a role to help progress the national hand hygiene campaign.

Alcohol Based Handrubs and Infection Control.CNO(2005)1

• A letter laying out procedures relating to the use of alcohol hand rubs.

HAI Public Information: MRSA Leaflet.CNO(2005)2

• A letter which reinforces the importance of public information and involvement in relation to healthcare associated infection (HAI) in Scotland.

Funding for Infection Control Managers.CNO (2005)3

• A letter which informs that the Scottish Executive Health Department is providing funding for each NHS Board to support employment of an Infection Control Manager and sets out the arrangements for, and the conditions of, funding.

HAI: Implementation and Development Fund.CNO (2005)5

• A letter which details the arrangements and funding for each Board to set up a HAI Implementation and Development Fund.

Antimicrobial prescribing policy and practice in Scotland - Recommendations for good antimicrobial practice in acute hospitals. (2005) Scottish Medicines Consortium/ Healthcare Associated Infection Task Force.

• Follows on from recommendations from the Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Scottish Action Plan (SEHD 2002) and lays out good prescribing practice with the aim of minimising the risk of the development of antimicrobial resistances.

Infection Control in Adult Care Homes : Final Standards (2005) Care Commission/ Healthcare Associated Infection Task Force.

• Standards relating to HAI in care homes.

Infection control and cleaning: nursing issues.HDL(2005)7

• A health department letter reinforcing and clarifying nursing responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of HAI and environmental cleanliness.

Management and accountability structures - HDL(2005)8

• A letter reiterating the main responsibilities of Chief Executives and ICMs in relation to HAIs.

Monitoring Framework for the NHS Scotland National Cleaning Services Specification.HDL(2005)50

• A letter which informs NHS Boards of the development of a Monitoring Framework for the NHS Scotland National Cleaning Services Specification; and plans for its implementation across NHS Scotland.

Guidance on training and support for those involved in media handling in NHS Scotland.CMO(2004)7

• A letter issuing a guidance document laying out interactions with the media relating to HAIs.

The Risk Management of HAI : A proposed methodology for NHS Scotland. Consultation Document (2004) Scottish Healthcare Associated Infection Task Force

• A consultation document distributed to gain feedback to develop a Risk Management strategy for HAIs.

The NHS Scotland National Cleaning Services SpecificationSEHD/CMO(2004)/8

• A set of guidelines relating to environmental cleanliness for all healthcare settings.

The NHS Scotland Code of Practice for the Local Management of Hygiene and Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) SEHD/CMO(2004)/9

• A code of practice defining local management powers and responsibilities relating to hygiene in healthcare settings.

A framework for mandatory induction training in healthcare associated infection (HAI) for NHS Scotland. CMO(2004)18

• A letter covering the framework for the education of staff involved with HAIs

Preventing infections acquired while receiving healthcare : The Scottish Executive's action plan to reduce the risk to patients, staff and visitors 2002-2005 (2002) Scottish Executive Health Department

• Three year action plan to deal with HAIs in Scotland; lead to formation of HAITF.