The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance) (updated July 2015), requires every Primary Care Provider to have an Infection Prevention & Control Lead.

The IPC Lead is responsible for leading and maintaining an effective local infection prevention & control programme. This involves identifying infection risks to the practice, its patients, visitors and staff, and taking responsibility for implementing and monitoring actions to minimise and manage those risks.