Impact of the Legal Framework within Health and Social Care Settings

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

  • Establishes obligations for employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all employees, acknowledging the responsibility to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Empowers the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to enforce health and safety standards, giving them the power to enforce infection control measures.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulations 2014

  • Holds care providers accountable for providing safe care and treatment, including preventing and controlling infections.
  • Requires care providers to learn and adapt from experiences, including any lapses in infection control, promoting a culture of continual improvement.
  • Inspections by the CQC ensure regulations are being adhered to, encouraging high standards of infection control.

Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice

  • Sets out the duties of health and social care providers regarding infection prevention and control, providing a clear framework for expected behaviours.
  • Details practices necessary to maintain cleanliness, dispose of waste properly, and manage infections if they occur.
  • Guides organisations in developing infection control policies and procedures.

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

  • Enforces the obligation to report certain infections under work-related disease category, instilling transparency and a commitment to improving infection control practices.
  • Helps in identifying patterns in current and emerging infections, thus informing preventive measures.

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

  • Provides powers to public health professionals and local authorities to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases.
  • Facilitates rapid and coordinated responses to infectious disease outbreaks, thus mitigating impact.

Overall, the legal framework surrounding infection control in health and social care settings promotes the safe delivery of care, the wellbeing of service users and staff, and ensures that efforts to prevent and control infections are consistent, strong, and effective.