From the President 

Colleagues,

Welcome to the February College newsletter. By now the activities of our 6 committees are well underway. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Education Committee who have been working tirelessly with our Education and Professional Development Co-ordinators to organise activities. Please visit our Upcoming Education and Events page to see what’s planned for your region.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearing has begun in Adelaide. It is devastating to hear some of the reports from family members and staff about the poor treatment of some of our older community members who are so vulnerable. The Board of Directors will be submitting a response and requesting that the College be called for a presentation on the importance of infection control in residential care facilities.  I urge all members with an interest in this area to consider submitting to bring to the attention of the public and policy makers the importance of high standards of infection control.  If you have not already done so, the submission by the Australian College of Nursing outlines a number of recommendations which are pertinent to the importance of adequate staffing and education.

If you work in an aged care facility, now is the time to ensure your facility has a workforce trained in infection prevention and control and has programs in place. College will be running a series of Infection Prevention and Control in Aged Care Home Settings workshops in 2019. The first will be in Brisbane next month.
Dates: March 28 and March 29
Venue: Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
The informative and interactive program will be delivered by skilled, experienced presenters and offers one or two-day workshop options suitable for anyone providing care to people living in aged care home environments or facilities. This may include allied and support staff, cleaning staff, nursing assistants, and enrolled and registered nurses. Visit the College website for more information and a link to register. Our Upcoming Education and Events has a detailed program of activities planned for the first half of 2019. Members will be updated of venues and dates as this workshop makes its way around Australia.

The College Board will have its first meeting of 2019 next week and will focus on ACIPC’s Strategic Plans (see the website) and member education and engagement. The Board is informed by reports from the Executive Manager and the Chairs of each of our 6 Committees, who represent ACIPC members.  This is your College leaders in service to you, ACIPC members.

Members were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Beth Bint. Beth will be long remembered for always putting patients’ needs first and for the positive impact she made on her colleagues and the world of infection prevention and control.

I can echo the words of ACIPC Member Lindy Ryan who posted in Infexion Connexion recently:

Beth was truly committed passionate and tiresome in her role as an advocate for all things around pt. safety. I really enjoyed her dry wit her fearlessness & curiosity …but mostly I enjoyed her kind heartedness, generosity  and warmth …I always looked forward to an opportunity to catch up with her for her latest adventures and updates as I knew it would be filled with lots of banter &  always  laughter for both of us…Vale Beth –  you did touch so many lives both professional &  personal –  our  loss is heavens gain.

Yours in Infection Prevention and Control

Professor Marilyn Cruickshank 

ACIPC President

Read the latest ACIPC E-Newsletter HERE 

The College is the peak body for Infection Prevention and Control professionals in the Australasian region. Our stated vision is the prevention and control of infection in our communities. We commenced in January 2012 bringing together the various State and Territory infection control associations formerly in AICA (The Australian Infection Control Association) to support and encourage collaboration across Australasia.

IPC in Aged Care Home Settings – 28th – 29th March Brisbane 

ACIPC Meet the Expert: A/Professor Benedict Devereaux – 9th April 2019 Brisbane 

Foundations of Infection Prevention and Control – 21 week online course commences May 1st 2019 

ACIPC 2019 Conference 19 – 20 November Perth 

Visit our Upcoming Education and Events page to see what’s happening in your region. 

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