Name: Chris Settle  Job title and institution: Consultant Microbiologist, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust Year you started IPC: As a Consultant in 2004.  How long have you been a member of HIS? Since 1994

• What was your route into IPC?

I was appointed as a Consultant Microbiologist and Infection Control Doctor in my first Consultant post. Although there was the option to rotate this role, I found it so interesting that I continue to be Infection Control Doctor to this date.

• Why is IPC an exciting field to work/study in?

IPC is a critical element of healthcare delivery. Patient safety is key and IPC directly impacts on patient safety. Trying to improve the mechanisms of patient care to prevent those that we have learned lead to healthcare associated infections will always remain a challenge that can excite and stimulate Infection Specialists during their career. 

• Why did you decide to become involved with HIS? 

I joined HIS whilst training as a Microbiologist, initially as a means of getting into the Journal of Hospital Infection. After 6 years as a Consultant Microbiologist, a colleague suggested that joining council would be a good idea and I was elected to Council for the first time. This increased my involvement with the society and provided a forum to discuss IPC issues with other colleagues in the specialty, as well as getting involved with processes that develop IPC guidance in the UK.

• Are you involved in any HIS society committees, working parties or focus groups?

I have been a HIS Council Member several times over the last decade and more recently was first appointed as Treasurer and currently as Chairman of the Society. I have represented HIS on numerous external consultation exercises, including the working group for update of National Standards for Cleanliness and was also a member of the previous and current working party for development of guidance on production and use of faecal transplantation.