Healthcare Associated Infection strategy - second phase deliverables impact assessment: progress report - March 2025

8. Summary of Assessment Findings

The deliverables below were screened for their impact (EQIA, FSDIA, ICIA and a BRIA) the results of which determine whether a full impact assessment is required.

a) Deliverable: Highlight ‘IPC week’ internally within Scottish Government, utilising the IPC careers materials to promote awareness.

This deliverable is an opportunity to promote ‘IPC week’ and raise awareness and understanding of IPC across Scottish Government.

A full EQIA will be required for this deliverable as Scottish Government is a diverse employer. We will need to make sure that the materials and our promotion meet the needs of all those who may engage with us. The screening exercise concluded that a FSDIA and BRIA is not required for this deliverable. The method to highlight and promote IPC week is likely to be online only and not involve any hybrid or in-person activity. Once this deliverable is further developed with an agreed method, the screening questions for the ICIA will be revisited. Impact assessments will be conducted during the planning stages of this deliverable, to support its development.

b) Deliverable: Building on the completed 24/25 business case for a National Infection Intelligence Solution, Scottish Government to consider methods and approach for delivery in partnership with NHS Scotland.

The aim of this deliverable is to establish the method for progressing the development and procurement of a National Infection Intelligence Solution for Scotland.

During the screening exercise, the Scottish Government concluded that a full EQIA, ICIA, FSDIA and BRIA is not required for this deliverable. However, an EQIA will be fundamental to the next stages in development of any future system and will be a key feature in any procurement exercise. It is important to note that this assessment is beyond the scope of this deliverable and the overall strategy.

c) Deliverable: Undertake a review of Healthcare Associated Infection Reporting Tool (HAIRT).

A review of HAIRT is necessary to ensure that this reporting tool is still fit for purpose for use in NHS Scotland and for review by the Scottish Government.

The screening exercise determined that a full EQIA and ICIA should be completed prior to and revisited during the development of the HAIRT to ensure that it can be used in an equitable way for all people in all areas of Scotland.

A full EQIA and ICIA will be completed when plans progress to review HAIRT, ensuring that accessibility considerations are fully evaluated and addressed. FSDIA and BRIA is not required for this deliverable.

d) Deliverable: Review and update as necessary the National Support Framework 2017.

A review of the National Support Framework will ensure that this Framework remains fit for purpose and relevant. The review will focus on roles and responsibilities as well as the current process in relation to invocation and standing down of the National Support Framework.

The screening exercise determined that a full EQIA and ICIA will be completed when plans are further progressed to review the Framework. FSDIA and BRIA is not required for this deliverable.

e) Deliverable: Review to be carried out to agree responsibilities, priorities and resources for IPC in social care across Scotland by December 2025.

This deliverable aims to clarify responsibility for IPC in social care. It will evaluate the evidence and provide recommendations to Ministers, in partnership with and informed by health and social care stakeholders. It will include identifying priorities for IPC in social care, which organisations have responsibility in this area and where resources are needed, both within Scottish Government and in supporting organisations, to achieve aims.

During the initial impact screening of this deliverable, it was noted that by clarifying the responsibilities, priorities, and resources for IPC in adult social care this could contribute to reducing infection rates in social care settings. It was discussed that this has the potential to have impacts on people with protected characteristics and or socioeconomic deprivation. It was additionally noted that this deliverable has the potential to impact on businesses including the third sector and may have impacts for island communities.

However, it was agreed that the scope of this work needs to be further clarified before impacts and potential benefits of any proposed policies can be assessed.

Once the scope of this deliverable is further developed, the screening questions for an EQIA, FSDIA, ICIA and BRIA will be revisited. Completion of any required impact assessments will support the development of this deliverable and be built into the workplan. As part of this process, we will engage with a range of stakeholders to ensure that the needs of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) are met. This will be alongside embedding human rights throughout the development of any policy recommendations.