Welcome

The NHSScotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) was first published on 13 January 2012, by the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO (2012)1), and updated on 17 May 2012 (CNO (2012)1 Update). 

The NIPCM provides IPC guidance to all those involved in care provision and is considered best practice across all health and care settings in Scotland. 

The re-launch of the NIPCM by the CNO on 11 July 2022 emphasises the ongoing importance of application of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance within health and care settings across Scotland. 

Video of Chief Nursing Officer re-launching the NIPCM

Find out more about the NIPCM

You can find out more about the NIPCM by watching the animation or going to the About the manual webpage.

Disclaimer

When an organisation, for example health and care setting, uses products or adopts practices that differ from those stated in this National Infection Prevention and Control Manual, that individual organisation is responsible for ensuring safe systems of work including the completion of a risk assessment approved through local governance procedures.

Latest News

• View all news and updates
• 30 Sep 2026Transmission Based Precautions changes - Powerpoint slideset now available
• 23 Sep 2026Update to TBP FAQs around use of legacy descriptors
• 02 Sep 2026Update to Considered Judgement form and Executive Summary for Patient and Resident Placement for Isolation and Cohorting Literature Review
• 02 Sep 2026Update to Respiratory Symptom Screening Questions resource.
• 03 Aug 2026TBP guidance has been updated to reflect new transmission descriptors and associated controls