12/12/2025
IPC Winter 2025 Letter to the Adult Social Care Sector
Dear adult social care colleagues,
Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting those who rely on care and support services. Your dedication and compassion make a real difference, and we appreciate all that you do.
Winter can be challenging for the adult social care (ASC) sector due to severe weather, increased infection transmission, and other seasonal pressures. People who use ASC services are at higher risk of severe illness, so it’s vital that providers:
Encourage uptake of seasonal vaccinations
Prepare for increased infection risk
Respond quickly and effectively to outbreaks
Work in partnership with NHS colleagues
Taking proactive steps now will help protect both staff and those receiving care.
This letter provides updates on Infection prevention and control (IPC), winter preparedness, flu vaccination and visiting.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
We are aware that there is currently an increase in flu cases and outbreaks, and that this is being reflected in the media. Winter does typically bring an increase in flu, RSV, COVID-19, other respiratory infections, and norovirus. However, this year, flu is circulating earlier than expected and RSV is persisting longer, leading to more outbreaks and hospitalisations among vulnerable groups.
Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) should be applied at all times, whether infection is known or not to protect those who are higher risk of severe illness and to reduce the risk of transmission. These include:
Hand hygiene: Wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub between tasks and individuals.
Remember to avoid using alcohol-based hand rub when caring for an individual with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea as alcohol is not effective at killing the relevant bacteria.
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Ventilation: Regularly let fresh air into rooms and shared spaces.
Cleaning:
Shared equipment between individuals and after use
Frequently touched surfaces and communal areas
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use appropriately when there is a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin.
Waste and linen handling: Follow correct segregation and precautions for potentially infectious items.
Support those receiving care to follow SICPs where possible. Further details are available in the following guidance: Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings - GOV.UK
Additional measures during outbreaks may include testing, enhanced PPE, vaccination, and post-infection treatments. For more information on SICPs, IPC measures and how to manage ARIs, please see:
Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings - GOV.UK
Infection prevention and control in adult social care: acute respiratory infection - GOV.UK
People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 - GOV.UK
Vaccination
Vaccination is a vital defence against flu and COVID-19, reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, and death. It is essential we protect those using adult social care services and those working across the sector.
Providers should:
Encourage all staff to book vaccinations promptly and explain their importance.
Ensure all those who access care and support services receive their vaccines, following the appropriate consent processes.
Share campaign materials (leaflets, posters, stickers) from the DHSC campaign resource centre.
Health and Social Care Worker flu vaccination campaign | Winter vaccinations | Campaign Resource Centre
Vaccinations | Campaigns | Campaign Resource Centre
More details are in this letter which was circulated 17 November 2025: UPDATE ON THE WINTER 25/26 FLU CAMPAIGN.
Visiting
Visits from family and friends are essential for wellbeing, especially during winter. Under CQC Regulation 9A, providers must respect each person’s right to receive visitors in line with their preferences.
Restrictions should only apply in exceptional circumstances during outbreaks, and only if risks cannot be mitigated through other precautions. For guidance on safer visiting during outbreaks, see: Supporting safer visiting in care homes during infectious illness outbreaks - GOV.UK
Wider Winter Preparedness
Other key actions and resources to help:
Weather-Health Alerting System: Sign up for UKHSA alerts to receive early warnings about adverse weather, including Heat-Health and Cold-Health alerts.
Local support: Your local UKHSA Health Protection Team or IPC provider can offer advice and assistance. Find your local team via GOV.UK.
Guidance: Review Supporting vulnerable people before and during cold weather and UKHSA’s Winter Blog for practical tips.
Thank you once again for your commitment to keeping people safe and well this winter.
Claire Armstrong,
Director of Adult Social Care Data, Assurance and Operational Resilience
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