NHSE IPC Education Framework level: This course aligns to Enhanced level on the framework

This course is suitable for senior members of infection control teams, who are currently working in, or planning to move into, a role leading HCAI outbreak management. The course is aimed principally towards combined infection trainees, medical microbiology, virology and infectious diseases trainees, clinical scientists registered on a HSST programme and senior infection control nurses. The aim of the course is to develop understanding and key practical skills in a structured management response to outbreak investigation.

This course combines taught and practical sessions with opportunities for dialogue around outbreak management. Whilst providing a sound foundation in the basics of outbreak management and investigations, the course also delivers specific sessions around agenda setting, constructing timelines, simple stats, case-control studies and writing press releases. The course also features a dedicated ‘table top exercise training experience’ involving a detailed scenario for delegates to work through based on an actual hospital outbreak. A full programme will be sent out to registered attendees prior to the course.

Delegates are required to bring a laptop with access to Microsoft Excel.  

The course has been created and developed by Dr Tim Boswell, medical microbiology consultant and deputy director of infection prevention and control - Nottingham University Hospitals.