A Sheffield nurse has co-written national training to support care homes during covid-19, which has been published by the Infection Prevention Society.

Lisa Renshaw, an infection prevention and control nurse from NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), co-wrote the covid-19 infection prevention and control training package for care homes, alongside Professor Jennie Wilson, vice president of the Infection Prevention Society.

The Infection Prevention Society is an independent charity with a 2,000 strong member network. Their vision is that no person is harmed by a preventable infection and they support members through educational opportunities and associated resources.

The care home training package is being used by care homes nationwide to support the roll-out of infection prevention and control training and includes information about managing covid-19 outbreaks. It also has instructions on taking swabs to test residents for the virus – with the aim of reducing the impact of the virus.

Lisa said: “In 2018 I put forward a proposal to the Infection Prevention Society with one of my colleagues, Katie Grayson, IPC Lead Nurse at Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust, for the creation of a special interest group for care homes. The proposal was accepted and the group was formed in February 2019, I co-ordinate the group which has over 160 members throughout the country and meets 3 times a year. We aim to influence change and promote infection prevention and control in care homes.

“It is because of my work on this group that I was approached to contribute to the training package. Care home residents are some of the most clinically vulnerable members of our society and I’m really passionate about ensuring that preventable infections are avoided.”

Lisa’s role at the CCG involves assisting GP practices to comply with the social care act by providing advice and support as and when necessary, as well as supporting Sheffield care homes to comply with infection prevention and control national requirements and provide advice and support.

Donna Pierpoint, Manager of Broomgrove Nursing Home in Sheffield which received the care home training package, said: “The training package has been an invaluable resource for all of our staff during the pandemic. It’s enabled us to have clear and precise information and guidance that can be accessed and referred to at any time, which has helped to keep our residents and staff safe.”

Alun Windle, Chief Nurse at NHS Sheffield CCG, said: “I am really proud of Lisa, the training package is a great resource for care homes, helping them to prevent and manage outbreaks of covid and keep residents safe.

“This year is the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, a time to reflect and appreciate the fantastic work nurses do each day. Lisa is a shining example of a passionate and dedicated nurse, not only does she give her all to her day job at the CCG but she uses her own time to work with the Infection Prevention Society to promote infection prevention and control and support care homes nationwide.”

During the covid-19 pandemic, Lisa and her infection control colleagues at the CCG have been providing ongoing support and guidance to GP practices and care homes in the city in preventing and controlling the spread of the virus.