The HAI Task Force works to a simple overarching principle that infection control is everyone's business, be it medical or nursing staff, allied and other healthcare professionals, cleaning staff, managers, patients and visitors.
The Task Force is responsible for advising on the development and delivery of Scottish Government policy to minimise healthcare associated infections. Originally formed in January 2003, it was significantly restructured in 2011 to better support the new HAI Delivery Plan from April 2011 onwards. The Task Force now comprises three groups with distinct but related roles:
HAI Taskforce National Policy Group (HAI NPG)
The core HAI Taskforce National Policy Group (HAI NPG) is chaired by Ros Moore, Chief Nursing Officer. Membership includes the Chairs of the HAI National Advisory Group and HAI National Delivery Plan Implementation Group as well as representatives from other key stakeholders. Its remit includes:
- providing leadership across the HAI agenda in Scotland;
- ensuring that national level activities to reduce HAI continue to be informed by the wider Scottish Government policy; and
- ensuring continued public, stakeholder and partnership involvement in the development of national strategy for the prevention and control of HAI in Scotland.
Minute of Meeting -26 May 2011
HAI Taskforce National Advisory Group (HAI NAG)
The HAI Taskforce National Advisory Group (HAI NAG) advises Scottish Government on the policy approach to tackling healthcare associated infections (HAI) in Scotland and for supporting the principle that "infection control is everyone's business". The Chair, Dr Bob Masterton (Executive Medical Director, NHS Ayrshire and Arran), works independently of Scottish Government and reports directly to the Chief Nursing Officer through the HAI NPG. The remit of the HAI NAG includes;
- providing advice to the Chief Nursing Officer to inform and influence the development of policy and best practice for the prevention and control of HAI in Scotland;
- undertaking horizon scanning to ensure policy development continues to be informed by emerging HAI and antimicrobial resistance related evidence; and
- considering emerging lessons from implementation of the current HAI policy framework overseen by the HAI Development and Implementation Group at both national and local level and advice on the appropriate policy response.
The National Advisory Group is independent of the Scottish Government and minutes of these meetings will be published by Health Protection Scotland on their website. HPS will shortly be publishing the minutes of the first meeting which took place on 12 May 2011 and a link will be provided here once these are available.
HAI Taskforce Development and Implementation Group (HAI DIG)
The HAI Taskforce Development and Implementation Group (HAI DIG) oversees delivery of the HAI work programme as detailed in the HAI Delivery Plan as well as the development and implementation of the wider HAI policy agenda. It is chaired by Dr Mags McGuire (Executive Director of Nursing at NHS Tayside) and reports directly to the Chief Nursing Officer through the HAI NPG. The remit of the HAI DIG includes:
- reviewing the progress of individual work streams within the HAI Delivery Plan and maintaining a risk register confirming the status of each;
- providing co-ordinated support and advice to NHS Boards in the implementation of national HAI policy at local level; and
- increasing public confidence by demonstrating improvements in the prevention and control of HAI across NHS Scotland.
Minute of Meeting -9 June 2011