Essential Steps to Safe, Clean Care: The process of managing change

Healthcare associated infections cost the National Health Service around £1 billion each year and cause pain and reduced quality of life. Essential Steps to Safe, Clean Care was introduced by the Department of Health in 2006 and was aimed at organisations that provide and commission health and social services in community and non-acute settings. The engagement and empowerment of frontline clinical staff, especially the infection, prevention and control linkworkers, was central to the programme. This article describes the process by which Essential Steps was introduced and implemented in a teaching primary care trust and how the changes required were managed.