We are excited to introduce Melisha Daff, a vital new addition to our Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team at DHU. Melisha is also one of our new IPC Champions, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to our organisation. With a background as a Healthcare Assistant on a hospital surgical ward within the NHS, Melisha is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of her new role.
Based in North Derbyshire, Melisha's responsibilities extend across a large and varied geographical area. Melisha explained: “I will be conducting IPC audits at various sites, ensuring that both people and buildings adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety. Our team is crucial in maintaining our commitment to health and safety, and we conduct thorough inspections that encompass everything from hand hygiene to the overall cleanliness of our facilities.”
"You have to be a good communicator, curious, and a friendly face," Melisha shares. "At the end of the day, I'm here if anyone needs any information or support with IPC. For me, open communication is essential to help foster a culture of continuous improvement within DHU.”
"The hardest part of the role is challenging people and explaining where changes need to be made," she explains. "It is everyone’s job to make sure we keep high standards, and no matter whether you are a patient or a colleague, there is always room for improvement." Melisha's commitment to excellence ensures that our team consistently strives to enhance our practices and outcomes.
Speaking about the new IPC Champions initiative, Melisha noted its significant impact on improving standards across our sites. "The IPC Champions are a fantastic initiative. You’re getting information from people who are working within the sites day in and day out, so it’s a much more accurate understanding of how we are doing, rather than the snippet we see when we do an audit," Melisha notes. "Because we cover 50 sites and are a small team, it’s a great way to improve our overall standards and share best practices."
Melisha Daff’s dedication, expertise, and proactive approach make her an invaluable member of our team. We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to DHU and our ongoing commitment to infection prevention and control.