• The purpose of notification is to enable the prompt investigation, risk assessment and response to cases of infectious diseases that present a significant risk to human health
• Notification has the secondary benefit of providing data for use in the epidemiological surveillance of infections

This is a controlled document. If you are using a printed copy, check it against the guidelines site to ensure you are using the latest edition. Print copies must be destroyed after use.

Abbreviations

The purpose of notification is to enable the prompt investigation, risk assessment and response to cases of infectious diseases that present a significant risk to human health. Notification has the secondary benefit of providing data for use in the epidemiological surveillance of infections. ‘Notification of infectious diseases’ (NOIDS) is the term used to refer to the statutory duties for reporting notifiable diseases in the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010.

Registered medical practitioners (RMPs) have a statutory duty to notify the ‘proper officer’ at their local council or local health protection team (HPT) of suspected cases of certain infectious diseases.

All attending clinicians (RMPs) and Microbiology Departments have the legal responsibility to follow this notification guideline.

All clinical Trust staff are responsible for following the policy to alert the Infection Prevention & Control Team (IPCT) about infectious individuals

• Refer to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) webpages for list of notifiable organisms and diseases, and how to report: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notifiable-diseases-and-causative-organisms-how-to-report

• The National Infection Prevention & Control Manual (NIPCM) A to Z of Pathogens resource can be referred to, for identification of the requirement to notify individual infections/ causative organisms.

• In addition for UK Armed Forces patients, the following are reportable using an FMed 85 (online) form:

  • Infective enteritis

  • Influenza (when directed by MOD)

  • Leishmaniasis

  • Lyme disease

  • Schistosomiasis

Further information can be obtained from the Military Administration Unit at Frimley Park Hospital.

• Outbreaks of infection within Trust healthcare settings, will be notified by the IPCT to the Frimley Integrated Care Board, UKHSA, and other external organisations as required. Outbreaks of norovirus are reported via the UKHSA Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System.

• Refer to the UKHSA webpages for the contact details of the local HPT requiring notification. In the case of individual patient notification of infection, notify the local HPT in which the patient’s registered GP is located. In the case of healthcare setting outbreak notification, notify the local HPT in which the hospital site is located.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contacts-phe-health-protection-teams

Reporting is statutory and is administered by the UKHSA. Confirmed cases that are reported directly to the UKHSA by Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services, but have not been reported by a Trust clinician/ Consultant Medical Microbiologist, will be referred by the UKHSA to the Consultant Medical Microbiologist.

Repeated incidents of non-reporting by the Trust will be monitored as an incident for clinical risk management.

Monitoring of this guideline is through the Infection Prevention & Control Annual Audit and Surveillance programme.

Health Protection (Notifications) Regulations 2010 SI 2010: No. 659 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/659/contents/made

Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 London HMSO, 1984. (as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2008) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/22

This guideline has been registered with the Trust. However, clinical guidelines are guidelines only. The interpretation and application of clinical guidelines will remain the responsibility of the individual clinician. If in doubt, contact a senior colleague or expert. Caution is advised when using guidelines after the review date. This guideline is for use in Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust hospitals only. Any use outside this location will not be supported by the Trust and will be at the risk of the individual using it.

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