Departments
The Health Protection Nurse Service
The Health Protection Nurse Service (HPNS) was established in June 2004 as it was recognised that there was a gap in the service provision within the community remit with regard to Infection Prevention and Control issues.
The Health Protection Nurse Service is line managed by Dr Tohani, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) within the Public Health Directorate.
Mrs Brighdin McFalone is Health Protection Nurse Specialist for Infection Prevention and Control in the community; providing specialist advice, education and consultation to primary care, medical and dental services and private nursing and residential homes in the SHSSB area. In addition, Mrs McFalone supports the CCDC with the investigation of certain communicable diseases.
Mrs Annette O’Hara/ Mrs Josephine Matthews are Health Protection Nurses who support the Health Protection Nurse Specialist.
Ruth Park provides secretarial support for the team.
Health Protection Nurse Service Activities
Nursing and Residential Infection Control ‘Link Worker’ Group
The Health Protection Nurse Service has established a team of link workers within the nursing and residential homes. The ‘link worker’ takes the lead on Infection Prevention and Control issues under the direction of the HPNS. The purpose of the link worker group meetings are to provide education, training, establish infection control standards, procedures and auditing practices.
Dental Infection Control 'Link Nurse’ Group
The Health Protection Nurse Service aim to establish a dental link nurse group for Infection Prevention and Control, where leads will be identified to take on this role under the guidance of the HPNS. The HPNS current focus is to audit a cross section of dental practices and to analysis this data to develop training needs.
Primary Care
The Health Protection Nurse Service contributes to the Southern Area Learning Teams (SALT) events for Primary Care staff and gives community Infection Prevention and Control training. In addition, the HPNS work on Controls Assurance Standards relating specifically to Southern Area Urgent Care Services (SAUCS). In relation to the forthcoming relocation and provision of a satellite service the HPNS has advised on infection control in the built environment.
Additional Activities
World Health Organisation – Patients Global Safety Challenge
The Health Protection Nurse Service participated in the launch of the World Health Organisation’s ‘Patients Global Safety Challenge: Clean Care is Safer Care’. This event took the form of a poster presentation and practical hand hygiene demonstration and proved a great success.
Policy and Guidance for the SHSSB.
The Regional Infection Control Manual published by the DHSSPSNI can be accessed by Clicking Here
Additional guidance documents are listed below:
Guidelines for the Control of Scabies Infection
Head Lice Leaflet (PDF 114 KB) http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/headlice.pdf
MRSA Patient Information Leaflet (PDF 61 KB) http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/mrsa-june03.pdf
To view the six step hand hygiene technique click here.
Useful Websites
The Royal College Nursing represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policies.
The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health.
The Infection Control Nurses Association works together with healthcare colleagues, professional bodies, industry, government agencies and voluntary organisations in the prevention and control of infection.
The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) is responsible for funding, managing and supporting postgraduate medical and dental education within the Northern Ireland Deanery