Interim senior support for the IPC team: IPC Partnership with an NHS hospital group in London

The challenge

A multi-site NHS Trust in London provides care across a wide range of acute and community services and relies on a strong Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) function to support patient safety, regulatory compliance and organisational performance. A vacancy in the Associate Director for Infection Prevention and Control role created a significant gap in senior IPC leadership, placing additional pressure on both the Trust's executive team and operational IPC staff. The Trust required experienced senior support to maintain assurance, governance, visibility and strategic direction while longer-term workforce solutions were developed.

The approach

IPC Partners worked closely with the Chief Nurse, IPC team and wider Trust leadership to provide interim senior IPC expertise and leadership. The objective was to ensure continuity of service, maintain confidence across the organisation and support the Trust in meeting its statutory responsibilities for infection prevention and control. The support model was designed to complement and strengthen the existing team, providing access to specialist IPC leadership, scientific expertise and strategic advice while enabling the Trust to continue delivering its core priorities.

The solution

IPC Partners provided senior leadership and advisory support across the full spectrum of IPC activities, including:

• Executive-level IPC leadership and strategic advice.
• Support for IPC governance, assurance and Board reporting.
• Expert input into outbreak management, surveillance and incident investigations.
• Oversight and guidance relating to water safety, ventilation safety and decontamination.
• Mentorship and professional support for members of the IPC team.
• Support for IPC education and training programmes.
• Advice on workforce planning, recruitment and service development.
• Representation and engagement with regional and system-wide IPC networks.
• Development of high-quality reports, presentations and assurance documentation for senior leaders and committees.

The support was delivered collaboratively, helping to ensure that IPC remained visible across the organisation while maintaining strong links with clinical teams, operational services and executive leadership.

Impact

The interim support provided continuity of senior IPC leadership during a period of transition, helping the Trust maintain effective governance, oversight and professional assurance. Access to experienced IPC specialists enabled the Trust to sustain focus on key priorities including healthcare-associated infection surveillance, outbreak management, staff engagement and regulatory compliance. The arrangement also provided additional support and mentorship to the IPC team, helping to maintain resilience and confidence while permanent leadership arrangements were progressed.