As a member of the Healthcare Infection Society, you gain access to a dynamic professional community dedicated to advancing the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. HIS membership offers exclusive access to cutting-edge research, expert-led educational resources, influential policy and guideline development, funding opportunities, and networking with leading infection specialists, empowering you to drive excellence in infection prevention and make a meaningful impact on patient safety.

 

Please check your membership category via our membership journey pathway. 

 

Full membership
£190 With print & electronic JHI
£90 With electronic JHI
Trainee membership
FREE With electronic JHI
FREE for the duration of training period with electronic JHI
Associate membership
£190 With print & electronic JHI
£90 With electronic JHI
Associate trainee membership
FREE - no access to JHI until eligible for Trainee membership

Other membership groups

Emeritus membership

Open to:

Any Full member on retiring from his/her professional position following 5 years of continuous membership.

Emeritus membership is FREE and members do not receive a subscription to Journal of Hospital Infection. To change your membership category to Emeritus email the membership team.

All membership applications will be at the discretion of Council.

Low income country membership

Open to:

Individuals who qualify for Full or Associate membership, residing in low and lower middle income countries (as classified by the World Bank).

Free Low Income Country membership is by special application only and requires supporting documentation from the applicant and their employer. Benefits of membership are dependent upon whether the member falls into the Full or Associate membership category. Low Income Country members will only receive electronic access to the Journal of Hospital Infection.

If you reside in a qualifying country and would like to apply for Low Income Country membership, please email the membership team.  You will be asked to provide the necessary supporting documentation and then will be advised on how to submit your membership application.

 

 

Joining and eligibility FAQs

Who can become a member?

Membership is open to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:

  • Infection prevention and control practitioners
  • Microbiologists and infectious disease specialists
  • Nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals
  • Researchers and academics
  • Students and trainees with an interest in infection prevention
Can international members join?

Yes, HIS welcomes international members. Benefits such as online resources and virtual events are accessible globally.

Please note that our online payment provider (PayPal) may not work in your country. If this is the case please email memberhsip@his.org.uk for assistance. 

Do I need to provide proof of training programme to apply for 'trainee' membership?

Yes, you may be asked to provide evidence of your student or trainee status (i.e. a valid ID or confirmation  letter from your institution).

Do members receive access to journals or publications?

Members may receive access to selected journals, newsletters, or other publications. You may choose to pay for print & electronic JHI or electronic JHI only.

Are there opportunities to get involved in HIS activities?

Yes. Members can participate in:

  • Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
  • Committees and working groups
  • Conferences and educational events
  • Research and collaborative projects
Are there volunteer or leadership opportunities for members?

Yes, members may have opportunities to:

Is there support for students or early-career professionals?

Yes. HIS supports early-career professionals through:

  • Discounted membership rates
  • Educational resources
  • Networking and mentorship opportunities

You may also want to see if you are eligible to apply for our available funding and awards.

Can I claim CPD (Continuing Professional Development) through membership?

Membership itself does not provide CPD credits; however, many HIS events, webinars, and activities are CPD accredited.

How can I stay informed about member benefits and updates?

Members receive updates via email newsletters, announcements, and the HIS website. Keeping your contact details up to date ensures you don’t miss important information.

How do I cancel my HIS membership?

To cancel your HIS membership please email the membership team at membership@his.org.uk and we will close your HIS account. Please note you will need to cancel the payment yourself. If you pay via GoCardless/ Direct Debit you will need to do this through your bank.

Membership Management FAQs

How long does membership last?

You can be a HIS member as long as you like! However each membership needs to be renewed one year from the date of joining or last renewal. You will be sent emails nearer your membership expiry date reminding you its time to renew your membership.

How do I renew my membership?

Login into your HIS account via this portal link. Once you are logged in, click on the ‘My membership tile’ on the dashboard. Then look for the ‘My membership renewal’ section and select ‘Pay renewal’. Then complete the payment section. This will renew your membership for another year.

I submitted a membership application, when does it become active?

Once your application is approved and payment is received, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Please note that membership approval is a manual process and completed during office hours Monday - Friday.

My membership status says ‘Pending approval’—what does that mean?

Your application is under review. Once approved (during office hours), you’ll receive an automated confirmation email.

Can I access member benefits immediately after joining?

Yes, once your membership is active. Some services may take a short time to activate.

What happens if my membership expires/lapses?

You will lose access to benefits, but you can renew at any time via the HIS portal to restore access. You will receive email reminders before your membership expires.

Can I change my membership category after joining?

Yes, to do this please contact membership@his.org.uk and request the change in membership category (for example, from Trainee to Full membership). Please note you may be required to provide details to verify identity or traineeship. Any fee adjustments will depend on the membership type.

How do I cancel my membership?

To cancel your HIS membership please email the membership team at membership@his.org.uk and we will close your account. Please note you will need to cancel the payment yourself. If you pay via GoCardless/ Direct Debit you will need to do this through your bank.

You can reapply for membership at any time. Using the same email address login may restore your previous information.

Can I transfer my membership to someone else?

No, memberships are non-transferable. Members are able to cancel and rejoin at any time.

How can I update my membership details?

Log into your HIS account and click on the 'Personal details' tile on the dashboard, then locate the section you wish to update and click 'edit these details' and 'save'.

If you are having any issues updating your details on your HIS account please contact membership@his.org.uk.

I’m having trouble logging into my account—what should I do?
  • Check your email and password
  • Use the password reset option
  • Try a different browser

If issues continue, contact the membership team at membership@his.org.uk.

How do I download my attendance certificates?

Your may download a certificate by logging into the HIS portal using the email address and password linked to your HIS account. Once logged in, click the ‘Certificates of attendance’ tile on your dashboard.

Payment FAQs

Online payment error troubleshooting

Additional payment information

Our payment portal has recently been upgraded.  As a result, you will now need to insert an email address even when paying by credit or debit card. This does not mean you need to create a PayPal account.  A PayPal receipt will be sent to the email address that you provide during card payment.

 

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing issues trying to complete a payment on the online portal, we would advise you first try the below:

  • Try using an alternative device and/ or browser
  • Delete your browsing history before logging in and trying again
  • Open a private browser before logging in to the HIS portal and trying again
  • Avoid using the < back arrow on your browser during the payment process or on the payment page.
  • Check your internet connection - sometimes the payment may take a while to complete and the page may time out
  • Try using another payment card - there may be some restrictions from your bank or in certain countries

Additional information can be found via the link Paypal Payment Troubleshooting Guide

If after attempting the above you continue to experience issues, please contact us at admin@his.org.uk and provide screenshots of the error message or page you are on.

 

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept Direct Debit via GoCardless, major credit and debit cards, and online payments via PayPal. As the Healthcare Infection Society is a small charitable organisation with minimal staff resources, purchase orders will only be accepted for bookings with a value of more than £500.

Can I make a payment over the phone?

No, HIS does not have facilities to take payment over the phone. This is done online only through the HIS portal or finance approved purchase order for bookings with a value of more than £500.

Does the HIS online portal accept American Express credit card?

Yes, American Express is accepted for online payments.

What currencies are accepted?

Membership fees are typically charged in GBP (£). If you pay using PayPal or an international card, currency conversion may be applied.

My payment failed—what should I do?
  • Check your payment method has sufficient funds
  • Confirm your billing details are correct
  • Try again or use a different device/payment method

If issues persist, contact HIS team at admin@his.org.uk

I’ve been charged via PayPal but didn’t receive confirmation—what happens next?
  • Check your spam/junk folder
  • Allow time for processing
  • Contact the HIS team with your transaction ID from PayPal or screenshot
How do I cancel a Direct Debit (GoCardless) payment?

You can cancel via your bank or using links from GoCardless emails.

Cancelling will stop future payments and may end your membership at the next renewal.

Please contact the HIS team at admin@his.org.uk if you decide to cancel your direct debit.

Is my payment information secure?

Yes. Payments via PayPal and secure card systems are encrypted and handled to industry standards.

How do I get an invoice or receipt?

You may download your receipts/ invoices via your HIS account by logging in to the HIS portal and click the ‘Payments’ tile. You will see a section titled ‘My payment history’ with a ‘download’ link under the ‘Receipt’ column.

Support, Communications & Data FAQs

Who should I contact for membership queries?

Email the membership team at membership@his.org.uk and include as much information as possible so we are best equipped to assist you.

How do I unsubscribe from emails or communications?
  1. Use the unsubscribe link in emails you received
  2. Update your preferences in your HIS account. After logging into your HIS account, click the 'Personal details' tile , then click 'My preferences' followed by 'view/ edit preferences'. Tick the options you want and click 'Save preferences'.

 

What happens to my data when I become a member?

Your data is handled securely in accordance with HIS’s privacy policy and GDPR regulations.

Reclaiming your tax

The Healthcare Infection Society is an HMRC approved (List 3) professional body. If you are a UK taxpayer, the fee you pay for your membership may be tax-deductible (eligible for tax relief).

You may also be able to claim tax relief against the cost of your exams. Find out more about claiming tax relief for your membership fees and job expenses