How Often Should Healthcare Staff Receive Infection Prevention and Control Training?

Infection prevention and control training is essential for healthcare and social care staff. It helps workers understand how infections spread, how to reduce risk, how to use PPE safely, and how to protect people receiving care, staff, visitors and families.

For managers, one of the most common questions is: how often should staff complete infection prevention and control training?

The answer depends on the staff member’s role, the care setting, risk level, national guidance, provider policy and whether there have been incidents, outbreaks or changes in practice. In adult social care, Skills for Care guidance lists infection prevention and control with a minimum refresher period of three years. However, providers may choose more frequent refreshers, including annual infection control training, where this is justified by risk, service type, local policy or contractual expectations.

This guide explains infection prevention and control training frequency, when IPC refresher training should take place, what training should include, and what records managers should keep for compliance.

Why IPC Training Frequency Matters

Infection prevention and control is not a one-off topic. Staff may complete training during induction, but knowledge can fade, guidance can change and practice can become inconsistent over time.

Regular infection control training for healthcare staff helps ensure staff understand:

• How infections spread
• Standard infection control precautions
• Hand hygiene
• PPE use
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Waste management
• Laundry handling
• Respiratory hygiene
• Food hygiene links
• Outbreak procedures
• Staff responsibilities
• Reporting and escalation

IPC training frequency matters because infection risks can change quickly. A service may experience an outbreak, support people with higher infection risks, introduce new cleaning products, update PPE arrangements or identify poor practice through audits.

Refresher training helps reinforce safe habits and gives managers evidence that staff have been supported to maintain their knowledge and competence.

What Are Infection Prevention Training Requirements?

Infection prevention training requirements come from a combination of legislation, regulation, national guidance, employer duties and provider policy.

For CQC-registered providers in England, infection prevention and control links to safe care and treatment. Providers must have systems to assess, prevent, detect and control the spread of infections, including those that are healthcare-associated.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections is also important. CQC must take this Code into account when making regulatory decisions, and providers must have regard to the Code when deciding how they meet the regulations.

For adult social care, GOV.UK guidance also states that training and education are essential to protect people from infection risks and to maintain competence in applying IPC principles.

In practical terms, providers should be able to show that staff:

• Receive IPC training at induction
• Understand standard infection control precautions
• Know how to apply hand hygiene and PPE safely
• Understand cleaning, waste and laundry procedures
• Know how to report symptoms or outbreaks
• Receive refresher training when required
• Are assessed or observed where practical competence is needed
• Have training records available for audit or inspection

Is Annual Infection Control Training Required?

Many providers choose annual infection control training, especially in higher-risk settings such as care homes, healthcare services, nursing services and services supporting people who are clinically vulnerable.

However, annual training is not the only possible model. Skills for Care statutory and mandatory training guidance for adult social care lists infection prevention and control with a minimum refresher period of three years.

This means providers should not assume every service must use the same renewal period. Instead, managers should consider:

• The staff member’s role
• The setting and service type
• The people being supported
• Infection risks in the service
• Local policy requirements
• Contractual requirements
• Guidance changes
• Outbreak history
• Audit findings
• Staff confidence and competence
• Whether practical observation is needed

For some providers, a three-year refresher cycle may be appropriate for standard IPC training, with additional updates in between. For others, annual refreshers may be more suitable because of higher risk, service policy or commissioner expectations.

The key is to have a clear, risk-based training policy and to follow it consistently.

Suggested IPC Training Frequency

A practical approach is to use different training triggers rather than relying only on a fixed date.

On Induction

All healthcare and care staff should receive IPC training during induction before they work independently.

Induction IPC training should cover:

• How infections spread
• Hand hygiene
• PPE
• Cleaning responsibilities
• Waste disposal
• Laundry where relevant
• Respiratory hygiene
• Food hygiene links
• Reporting symptoms
• Outbreak escalation
• Local policies and procedures

New staff should also understand where PPE is stored, what cleaning products are used, how to report concerns and what to do if they develop symptoms of infection.

At Planned Refresher Intervals

Providers should set planned refresher intervals in their training policy. For adult social care, Skills for Care guidance lists infection prevention and control with a minimum refresher period of three years.

Some providers may choose annual refresher training where this better reflects risk. Others may use a three-year cycle supported by annual updates, toolbox talks, audits and practice observations.

After Outbreaks or Infection Incidents

IPC refresher training should happen sooner if there has been an outbreak, infection incident or serious concern.

Examples include:

• Respiratory infection outbreak
• Vomiting or diarrhoea outbreak
• Poor hand hygiene practice
• PPE misuse
• Cleaning failures
• Incorrect waste disposal
• Cross-contamination concerns
• Staff sickness reporting issues
• Delayed outbreak escalation

After an outbreak, managers should review what happened and decide whether staff need refresher training, additional guidance or competency checks.

After Audit Findings

Audits may identify IPC training needs even where certificates are still in date.

Refreshers may be needed after concerns with:

• Hand hygiene observations
• PPE use
• Cleaning schedules
• Laundry handling
• Waste segregation
• Food hygiene practice
• Environmental cleanliness
• Equipment cleaning
• Record keeping
• Outbreak procedures

If practice is poor, do not wait until the next planned refresher date.

After Changes in Guidance, Policy or Risk

IPC training should also be reviewed when guidance, policy or risk changes.

This may include:

• Updated public health guidance
• New PPE procedures
• New cleaning products
• New waste arrangements
• New outbreak procedures
• Changes in residents’ or clients’ needs
• New service type or location
• Staff taking on new responsibilities

Training should stay relevant to the work staff are actually doing.

What Should IPC Refresher Training Include?

IPC refresher training should reinforce essential knowledge and focus on areas where practice can slip.

It should include:

• Standard infection control precautions
• Hand hygiene
• PPE
• Respiratory hygiene
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Laundry
• Waste management
• Sharps awareness where relevant
• Food hygiene links
• Outbreak recognition
• Staff sickness reporting
• Escalation routes
• Local policy updates
• Learning from incidents and audits

Refreshers should be practical. Staff should understand what they need to do during a normal shift, home visit, medication round, personal care task, cleaning activity or outbreak situation.

Hand Hygiene Refresher Training

Hand hygiene refresher training is one of the most important parts of IPC. Hands are a common route for infection transmission, so staff need regular reminders and practical checks.

Training should cover:

• When to wash hands with soap and water
• When alcohol hand rub may be suitable
• Correct handwashing technique
• Drying hands properly
• Hand hygiene before and after PPE use
• Hand hygiene before food handling
• Hand hygiene after personal care
• Hand hygiene after handling waste or laundry
• Skin care and reporting skin problems
• Avoiding jewellery that affects hand hygiene

Managers should not rely only on a training certificate. Hand hygiene should also be checked through observation, spot checks and audit.

PPE Training for Healthcare Workers

PPE training for healthcare workers should explain what PPE is needed, when it should be used, how to put it on, how to remove it safely, and how to dispose of it.

PPE training should cover:

• Gloves
• Aprons
• Masks where required
• Eye protection where required
• Choosing the correct PPE
• Donning and doffing
• Safe disposal
• Hand hygiene before and after use
• Avoiding unnecessary PPE use
• What to do if PPE is unavailable
• Reporting PPE concerns

Staff should understand that PPE does not replace hand hygiene. Incorrect PPE use can increase risk if staff contaminate themselves, touch multiple surfaces, or reuse disposable items.

Infection Control Competency Assessment

An infection control competency assessment helps managers check whether staff can apply IPC training in practice.

Competency checks may include observation of:

• Hand hygiene technique
• PPE use
• Cleaning of equipment
• Waste disposal
• Laundry handling
• Food hygiene practice
• Use of cleaning products
• Spill management
• Environmental cleanliness
• Recording and escalation

Competency assessment is especially useful where staff provide personal care, support people with higher infection risks, clean equipment, handle laundry, prepare food or work in shared environments.

The assessment should record:

• Staff member’s name
• Role
• Task observed
• Date of assessment
• Assessor name
• Evidence observed
• Outcome
• Learning needs
• Actions required
• Review date

This helps show that training has been applied, not just completed.

IPC Training Records for Compliance

IPC training records for compliance should be clear, organised and easy to access.

Providers should keep:

• IPC training certificates
• Completion dates
• Refresher due dates
• Training matrix records
• Policy acknowledgements
• Hand hygiene observation records
• PPE competency checks
• Cleaning audit records
• Outbreak learning records
• Supervision notes
• Action plans for gaps
• Evidence of updates after guidance changes

A training matrix should show who has completed IPC training, when refresher training is due, whether competence has been checked and what action has been taken where gaps exist.

Good records support internal audits, CQC inspection preparation, commissioner checks and management oversight.

IPC Training for Different Staff Roles

Not every staff member needs the same level of IPC training. Frequency and content should reflect role and risk.

Care and Healthcare Staff

Staff providing direct care should understand IPC in personal care, medication support, moving between people, hand hygiene, PPE, waste, laundry, cleaning equipment and reporting symptoms.

Domestic and Cleaning Staff

Domestic staff need detailed training on cleaning schedules, products, COSHH, high-touch surfaces, waste, laundry, spill management and outbreak cleaning.

Kitchen and Catering Staff

Kitchen staff need food hygiene, hand hygiene, cleaning, illness reporting, allergen awareness and infection control linked to food preparation.

Managers and Senior Staff

Managers need training on IPC governance, audits, outbreak management, reporting, staff training, risk assessment, policy updates and learning from incidents.

Domiciliary Care Staff

Domiciliary care workers need IPC training that reflects working across different homes. This includes hand hygiene between visits, PPE disposal, equipment cleaning, environmental concerns and reporting symptoms.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting IPC Training Frequency

Step 1: Review Your Service Type

Start by reviewing whether your service is a care home, domiciliary care provider, supported living service, healthcare clinic, nursing service or another care setting.

Different settings have different infection risks.

Step 2: Identify Staff Roles

List all roles, including care workers, nurses, support workers, domestic staff, kitchen staff, office staff, managers, agency staff and bank staff.

Step 3: Review Guidance and Policy

Check current national guidance, Skills for Care guidance, CQC expectations, local policy, contractual requirements and insurer expectations.

Use this to decide your planned IPC refresher cycle.

Step 4: Set a Minimum Refresher Period

For adult social care, a minimum refresher period of three years may be used as a starting point from Skills for Care guidance. Providers can set more frequent refreshers where risk requires it.

Record your decision in your training policy.

Step 5: Add Risk-Based Triggers

Add triggers for earlier refresher training, such as outbreaks, audit concerns, incidents, new guidance, new procedures or staff competence concerns.

Step 6: Include Competency Checks

Decide where practical IPC checks are required. This may include hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, waste and laundry practice.

Step 7: Track Training in a Matrix

Use a training matrix or learning management system to track completion dates, refresher dates, competency checks and evidence locations.

Step 8: Review Regularly

Review IPC training records during audits, supervision, governance meetings and after incidents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming One Frequency Fits Every Service

IPC training frequency should reflect risk. A care home with frequent outbreaks may need a different approach from a low-risk office-based role.

Waiting for Certificates to Expire

If practice concerns arise, refresh training immediately. Do not wait for the planned renewal date.

Treating IPC as Theory Only

IPC is practical. Staff should demonstrate hand hygiene, PPE use, cleaning and waste procedures.

Forgetting Non-Care Staff

Domestic, catering, office, maintenance, agency and bank staff may all need IPC training relevant to their role.

Not Recording Competency Checks

If managers observe hand hygiene or PPE practice, they should record the outcome and any actions.

Ignoring Outbreak Learning

Outbreaks should trigger review. Providers should consider whether training, communication, PPE, cleaning or escalation needs to improve.

Not Updating Training After Guidance Changes

IPC guidance can change. Staff should be updated when relevant procedures change.

Poor Training Records

If training records are missing or unclear, providers may struggle to evidence compliance. Keep records organised and up to date.

FAQ: Infection Prevention and Control Training Frequency

How often should healthcare staff receive infection prevention and control training?

Healthcare and care staff should receive IPC training during induction and then at planned refresher intervals. In adult social care, Skills for Care guidance lists a minimum refresher period of three years for infection prevention and control, but providers may refresh sooner based on role, risk, policy, outbreaks or audit findings.

Is annual infection control training required?

Annual infection control training is common in many services, but it is not always the only acceptable approach. Providers should set a risk-based training policy and follow current guidance, contractual requirements and local procedures.

What should IPC refresher training include?

IPC refresher training should include hand hygiene, PPE, standard infection control precautions, cleaning, disinfection, laundry, waste management, respiratory hygiene, food hygiene links, outbreak procedures and staff responsibilities.

Should hand hygiene training be refreshed separately?

Hand hygiene should be reinforced regularly through training, reminders, observation and audit. A short hand hygiene refresher can be useful where practice concerns are identified.

Is PPE training required for healthcare workers?

Yes. Staff who use PPE should understand when it is required, how to put it on, how to remove it safely, how to dispose of it and why hand hygiene remains essential.

What is an infection control competency assessment?

An infection control competency assessment checks whether staff can apply IPC training in practice. It may include observation of hand hygiene, PPE use, cleaning, waste disposal, laundry handling or food hygiene practice.

What IPC training records should providers keep?

Providers should keep IPC certificates, completion dates, refresher dates, training matrix records, policy acknowledgements, hand hygiene observations, PPE checks, audit findings and action plans for gaps.

When should IPC training be refreshed earlier than planned?

IPC training should be refreshed earlier after outbreaks, infection incidents, poor audit findings, PPE concerns, hand hygiene issues, new guidance, changes in procedures or concerns about staff competence.

How ACSTRA Can Support IPC Training

ACSTRA provides online healthcare courses for care providers across the United Kingdom. Our online training can support infection prevention and control awareness, refresher learning, induction and compliance evidence.

Whether you need IPC refresher training, infection control training for healthcare staff, healthcare staff IPC training or support strengthening IPC training records for compliance, ACSTRA can help.

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For healthcare and care providers who need support choosing suitable online IPC training, contact ACSTRA for guidance. We can help you identify appropriate courses based on staff roles, service type, risk and training renewal needs.