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UCL has a range of preventative measures, processes and protocols for managing outbreaks of infectious diseases.
What is an infectious disease?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines an infectious disease as:
"Caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another.
These diseases can be grouped in three categories: diseases which cause high levels of mortality; diseases which place on populations heavy burdens of disability; and diseases which owing to the rapid and unexpected nature of their spread can have serious global repercussions.
Many of the key determinants of health and the causes of infectious diseases lie outside the direct control of the health sector. Other sectors involved are those dealing with sanitation and water supply, environmental and climate change, education, agriculture, trade, tourism, transport, industrial development and housing."
As one of the sectors identified by the WHO, UCL has a critical role to play in the management of infectious diseases. This policy therefore sets out our approach, covering both our existing populations (staff, students, and visitors), as well as the critical role education can play in raising awareness and public consciousness of diseases.
Section One: Prevention and awareness raising of infectious diseases
- Our approach to awareness raising
1. Prevention is an important first step in the management of infectious diseases. At UCL, we believe that preventative measures are critically important and encourage a broad range of activities and information raising campaigns.
2. Prevention campaigns prove particularly effective during periods of high footfall across campus. UCL adopts an approach to targeted communications around vaccinations. For example, for new students, and those onboarded as part of pre-arrival, communicate this through a checklist of essential actions related to vaccines.
3. Periods such as induction and welcome are particularly important for encouraging and promoting vaccinations. To this end, we encourage public health campaigns – such as booster vaccinations – to take place during this time.
4. Communications, specifically targeted at students, can be triaged through Student Support and Wellbeing Services and Vice-President External Engagement Teams.
5. During induction periods, all students will be provided with information about vaccinations and preventative measures provided by the NHS and associated partner organisations and charities.
6. All students will be provided with information and guidance as part of the induction process which highlights information, advice, and guidance in how to identify potential illnesses and what to do if they feel unwell at any point.
7. All students will be encouraged to register with a General Practitioner (GP). UCL works closely with Ridgmount Practice, as the nearest practice to our Bloomsbury Campus, and all students should be provided with information about registration irrespective of their home domicile.
8. Regular health information and guidance will be shared with students through a variety of media, including digital screens and targeted social media.
9. To support awareness raising efforts, specific and dedicated training will be provided to frontline teams such as Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Accommodation, and the UCL Students’ Union.
10. Where appropriate, UCL will deploy its academic expertise in support of public health awareness campaigns and consult with local public health protection teams.
- Our approach to supporting vaccinations
11. Vaccinations are an important and recognised tool in preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases.
12. A range of vaccinations are delivered as a routine component of health care. Details of a range of vaccinations and their intended delivery dates (based on age) are viewable via the NHS website.
13. Before arriving at UCL, students should ensure that all vaccinations are up to date. Students are encouraged to discuss their vaccination status with their GP.
14. Working with partner organisations, and where appropriate, UCL will actively support the delivery of vaccination clinics on campus. Such campaigns will be coordinated through Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
15. Where appropriate, UCL will deploy its intellectual and physical assets to facilitate information and space to deliver vaccinations and public efforts to quell concerns.
Section Two: Managing an outbreak of an infectious disease.
- Our approach to notification and reporting
1. It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of the escalation routes required to provide a notification or report of an infectious disease outbreak.
2. In line with their statutory duty to notify, as a ‘Proper Officer’, UCL will support registered medical practitioners in reporting suspected and confirmed cases of a notifiable disease.
3. In completing a notification form, UCL will act with pace to ensure that a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of a suspected infectious disease is reported at the earliest opportunity.
4. Following a notification, a Health Protection Team, or equivalent, will conduct a risk assessment of the situation. This assessment will be based on available information and a responsible officer from UCL will be identified as a point of contact.
5. Where appropriate, UCL will work to support the implementation of an Outbreak Control Group and establish regular communication with the Health Protection Team. This relationship will be triaged through the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Director of Health and Safety, Director of Workplace Health, or Head of Business Continuity.
- Our approach to managing an outbreak (on campus)
1. Following a notification of an infectious disease outbreak, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing Services will notify the Vice-President (Operations) and Executive Director of Student and Registry Services and Registrar.
2. Following a notification of an infectious disease outbreak, via a Proper Officer, UCL will convene an Outbreak Control Group (OBG) meeting.
3. The OBG will take direction from the UK Health Security Agency, and local Health Protection Teams where appropriate.
4. The OBG will comprise (but not be limited to):
a. A representative of the local Health Protection team.
b. A representative of Ridgmount Practice, UCL’s partner GP.
c. The Director of Student Experience, UCL Students’ Union (or nominee).
d. A representative of the Media Relations team.
e. A representative from the Internal Communications team.
f. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing Services (or nominee).
g. The Head of Business Continuity (or nominee).
h. The Director of Health and Safety Services (or nominee).
I. The Director of Workplace Health (or nominee).
j.The Director of Accommodation (or nominee).
k. The Dean of Population Health Sciences (or nominee).
Secretariat support for the OBG will be supplied through the Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services (Strategy and Governance).
5. Outside of standard business hours, if the Health Protection team need to notify someone at UCL they will inform the UCL Security Control Room on +44 (0)20 7679 2222 who can contact the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing Services and Director of Workplace Health.
6. Working through the OBG, the Health Protection team will liaise with UCL and inform the institution of any actions which are mandated. These could include (but not be limited to):
a. Communications to raise awareness amongst students and staff.
b. Communications to parents, guardians, or trusted contacts, as well as exchange partners and others if appropriate.
c. Offering close contacts of the affected person/s tests, antibiotics or vaccines.
d. Reinforcement of baseline infection prevention and control measures.
e. Temporary advice to reduce mixing among a targeted group.
f. The temporary use of face coverings in communal areas.
g. Encouraging all people who are unwell not to come onto campus– further guidance on exclusion periods is available for specific infectious diseases.
h. Ensuring all eligible groups are enabled and supported to take up the offer of immunisation programmes.
i. Ensuring occupied spaces are well ventilated and let fresh air in.
j. Reinforcing good hygiene practices such as frequent cleaning and hand hygiene.
k. Requesting that staff and students inform UCL in the event of a diagnosis of any infectious disease.
- Our approach to managing an outbreak (off campus)
1. In cases of a suspected outbreak overseas, UCL will consider the range of external support it can call upon, including through partner organisations where students are based.
2. The principles of an OBG should be followed for students suspected of an infectious disease overseas with associated institutional reporting through the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
3. Following a notification of an infectious disease outbreak via a Proper Officer, guidance in establishing an OBG (for UK based outbreaks) should be followed.
4. When a student or staff member is diagnosed as having an infectious disease whilst on a field trip or other residential study off-campus, they will be expected to comply with the instructions of the attending doctor, including a return to home, if so directed.
Section Three: Returning to business as usual following an infectious disease outbreak
- Our approach to concluding an outbreak
1. UCL will be guided through Health Protection Teams (or appropriate international partners) as to when to conclude an incident.
2. In all instances, UCL will act to reassure students and provide timely information and guidance about the status of any outbreak.
3. Where appropriate, UCL will instigate additional support for students affected in the management of an outbreak.
4. Following any outbreak, Student Support and Wellbeing Services will instigate a Serious Incident Review to facilitate cross organisational reflections.
Section Four: Annual review
- Our approach to reviewing, maintaining, and updating the infectious diseases policy
1. On an annual basis, the Infectious Diseases Policy will be reviewed by the Student Support and Wellbeing Services Leadership Team (delegated through their appropriate governance arrangements).
2. Where appropriate, recommendations for amendments to the Policy will be brought to the Leadership Team and then recommended to Workplace Health and Safety Committee.
3. A copy of the updated policy should be presented on the Student Policies section of the UCL website and communicated across teams.