Scottish infection prevention and control education pathway (SIPCEP)
Welcome to the Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP).
📢 Please note: We are updating SIPCEP content to improve their inclusivity, accessibility and usability on mobile devices. You may notice changes to modules, page layouts, and where resources are located as these updates are rolled out.
What is the Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP)?
SIPCEP is a staged pathway of infection prevention and control education for all Scottish health and social care staff and students. It aims to support continuous development of IPC knowledge and skills as part of their role.
SIPCEP is designed to support implementation of the national IPC guidance contained within the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual.
Please note: In Scotland, the evidence underpinning the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM) is limited to healthcare and care home settings.
On this page you can explore learning opportunities within each layer of SIPCEP:
Use the SIPCEP resources quick finder to help you identify the most relevant learning resources for your role. It includes information about the target audience and the types of resources available.
You DO NOT have to complete all the resources in this pathway. Check with your line manager, tutor or course leader to determine which resources are appropriate and/or mandatory.
For any queries about the pathway please check the IPC Turas Learn Zone guide or contact hai@nes.scot.nhs.uk
SIPCEP foundation layer
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The SIPCEP foundation layer contains resources that support learning and practice in Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) and Transmission-Based Precautions (TBPs), as outlined within the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM).
You can find out more about the learning outcomes in the Learning outcomes for SIPCEP foundation layer modules.
The Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway has been developed to align with the current evidence and guidance in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM). The NIPCM and CH IPCM are live, evidence-based resources that are regularly reviewed and updated following literature review, consultation and national assurance processes.
Updated guidance has recently been published within the NIPCM/CH IPCM. While the eLearning modules are being reviewed and updated to align with these changes, some content may not yet reflect the most current national guidance. To ensure practice is informed by the latest evidence and recommendations, learners should refer to the NIPCM/CH IPCM website for the most up-to-date infection prevention and control guidance until module updates are complete.
SIPCEP intermediate layer
The intermediate layer focuses on the application of knowledge and covers a range of topics with resources in a variety of formats.
The intermediate layer provides resources to:
- Enhance 'clinical’ or ‘practical’ skills
- Reinforce decision making and clinical reasoning
SIPCEP Improvement layer
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The improvement layer is designed for those who wish to develop knowledge and skills in relation to infection prevention and control and quality improvement, lead on or actively participate in an infection prevention and control improvement project in their place of work.
Please note: The Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway - Improvement layer is currently undergoing review. You can find alternative educational resources and quality improvement programmes currently offered by Public Services Delivery (PSD) Scotland within the Quality Improvement Zone.
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Alternative formats
If you require this resource to be made available in alternative formats, please email HAI@nes.scot.nhs.uk or altformats@nes.scot.nhs.uk to discuss how we can best meet your requirements.