
Chapter 4 of the Public Health Act (Queensland) 2005 commences on 15 December 2006. The Act provides instruction on the new requirements for Infection Control in health care facilities and imposes a statutory duty on persons involved with the provision of declared health services to take reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of infection.
The duty is reinforced by the requirement that a health care facility have an Infection Control Management Plan for the facility. The Infection Control Management Plan must identify the infection risks at the facility and detail the measures to be taken to prevent or minimise the risks and to train staff in applying the plan.
Facilities requiring an Infection Control Management Plan must have one in place within 6 months of the 15 December 2006 commencement date. New facilities must have an Infection Control Management Plan prior to providing any declared health services.
Section 150 of the Act states that Chapter 4 DOES NOT APPLY to: