As part of The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), Jubilee Lodge is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for everyone who lives, works and visits the home. Throughout Infection Prevention Week, the team has been sharing practical advice and important health messages, highlighting the role everyone plays in keeping infections at bay.

Clean Hands Save Lives

One of the key messages during the week has been the importance of good hand hygiene, recognised as one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection.

The Jubilee Lodge team has been reminding residents, colleagues and visitors that washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can significantly reduce the spread of harmful germs.

Particular emphasis has been placed on washing hands before and after handling food, after using the toilet, coughing or sneezing, and after touching frequently used surfaces or shared equipment.

These simple everyday habits can help protect people from common illnesses, including respiratory infections and gastrointestinal bugs, which can pose additional risks to older people and those living with underlying health conditions.

Catch It, Bin It, Kill It!

On the second day of Infection Prevention Week, Jubilee Lodge focused on the familiar public health message "Catch It, Bin It, Kill It!", encouraging everyone to practise good respiratory hygiene.

The team reinforced three simple steps:

• Catch It: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Bin It: Dispose of used tissues immediately and safely.
• Kill It: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to help prevent germs from spreading.

By reinforcing these important messages, Jubilee Lodge is helping to ensure that infection prevention remains part of everyday life within the home.

Protecting Residents and Colleagues Through Flu Vaccination

Another important focus of the awareness week has been encouraging eligible residents, colleagues and families to receive their annual flu vaccination.

With the arrival of colder weather, seasonal influenza can present significant health risks, particularly for older adults and people with long-term health conditions.

The team has been highlighting the importance of annual vaccination, which helps reduce the risk of serious illness and complications, while also offering valuable protection to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Residents of long-stay care homes, people aged 65 and over, and frontline health and social care workers are among those eligible for free NHS flu vaccinations during the 2026/27 season.

Creating a Culture of Safety, Awareness and Wellbeing

For care homes such as Jubilee Lodge, infection prevention is about much more than following procedures. It is about creating a culture in which everyone understands the importance of protecting their own health and the wellbeing of others.

Older people can be particularly vulnerable to the complications associated with infectious illnesses. Maintaining high standards of hygiene, promoting vaccination and encouraging good respiratory etiquette all contribute to reducing avoidable illness and supporting residents to continue enjoying an active, fulfilling and sociable life.

Awareness initiatives such as Infection Prevention Week also provide valuable opportunities to involve residents, families and colleagues in conversations about health, wellbeing and personal responsibility, helping to build confidence and reassurance across the wider care home community.

A Shared Commitment to Keeping Everyone Safe

Rebecca Long, Home Manager at Jubilee Lodge, said: 

Infection prevention is everyone's responsibility, and Infection Prevention Week is a fantastic opportunity to remind ourselves just how much of a difference the simplest actions can make. From washing our hands properly to following good respiratory hygiene and encouraging flu vaccinations, every small step helps us protect our residents, colleagues and visitors. Our residents' health, safety and wellbeing are always at the heart of everything we do, and I am incredibly proud of our team for continuing to promote such important messages. By working together, we can help keep Jubilee Lodge a safe, happy and healthy place for everyone throughout the winter months.

Jubilee Lodge would like to thank its dedicated colleagues, residents and families for supporting Infection Prevention Week and helping to reinforce the importance of good hygiene and preventative healthcare.

Together, small actions can make a big difference, because clean hands save lives, and prevention is everyone's responsibility.

For further information about seasonal flu vaccination and eligibility, visit: www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine