Who we are
Our objectives are to:
- advance knowledge
- foster scientific interest
- and disseminate information
about the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).
We have over 1,000 members who are experts in the prevention and control of HCAIs. Our members are drawn largely from the medical profession, and are predominantly consultant microbiologists and doctors enrolled on an infection specialty training programme. Nurses, clinical scientists, research scientists and others with a demonstrable professional interest in HCAIs are also a vital part of our membership network.
Healthcare-associated infections - how we help
Patients can acquire HCAIs either as a result of being in contact with a healthcare setting or via medical interventions. Infection prevention and control is a key focus for those working in patient-facing healthcare.
Individuals who are committed to reducing levels of HCAIs to the lowest possible levels form the membership that HIS represents and supports.
What we do
- We help to prevent HCAIs by sharing research, evidence and best practice
- We provide a source of expertise in the prevention and control of HCAI
- We support everyone in UK healthcare and around the world to reduce avoidable HCAIs
- We strive to inspire and support generations of healthcare infection professionals through training, education and collaboration
- We support and communicate pioneering world leading research, driving effective practice
We consult our membership regularly, and every 5 years we formally review our strategy to ensure we understand the current climate within the field of HCAIs, the needs of our members as well as the larger infection, prevention and control community. We then set strategic objectives, and develop plans to ensure we achieve them.
Currently, we achieve our strategic objectives which focus on the prevention and control of HCAIs by sharing research, evidence and best practice. We do this via a programme of training and events, the development of resources, the production of evidence-based publications and guidance, the allocation of research funding, and other activities that support and represent our members.
The Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) is a charity (1158172) registered in England and Wales.
Our vision
A world in which HCAIs have been reduced to the lowest possible level
Our mission
To provide healthcare professionals with the information, evidence and skills they need to prevent and control HCAIs
Our values
We believe that:
- Good science underpins good clinical practice
- Many HCAIs are preventable through effective multi-disciplinary teamwork
- Continual professional learning and development is necessary to reduce the incidence of HCAIs
- Collaboration within and beyond the Society will help to advance and communicate knowledge
In 1979 a group of consultant medical microbiologists first met to form a society that would foster the scientific interests of those hospital doctors who were interested in nosocomial (or hospital-acquired) infections. The first formal meeting of the Society took place in 1980, and the Society moved into permanent premises at 162 King’s Cross Road London in July 2002 and Professor Sir Liam Donaldson officially opened the headquarters in March 2003.
Since 1980 the Society has been governed by a board of trustees and officers whom, along with committee chairs and co-opted members, serve as the HIS Council.
In 2021 HIS and the Journal of Hospital Infection celebrated their 40th anniversaries. Read more here.
Presidents
- 1980 – 1984 Professor E J Lowbury
- 1984 – 1988 Professor M T Parker
- 1988 – 1994 Professor G J Ayliffe
- 1994 – 1998 Professor D Speller
- 1998 – 2002 Dr S W B Newsom
- 2002 – 2006 Professor A M Emmerson
- 2006 – 2010 Dr G L Ridgway
- 2010 – 2014 Professor T R F Rogers
- 2014 – 2018 Professor G L French
- 2018 – Present Professor Hilary Humphreys
Chairs
- 1980 – 1984 Professor G J Ayliffe
- 1984 – 1987 Dr D C Shanson
- 1987 – 1990 Professor M W Casewell
- 1990 – 1993 Professor A M Emmerson
- 1993 – 1996 Dr R H George
- 1996 – 1998 Professor T R F Rogers
- 1999 – 2001 Professor G L French
- 2001 – 2007 Dr R C Spencer
- 2007 – 2011 Dr A P Fraise
- 2011 – 2015 Dr T C Boswell
- 2015 – Present Dr E Ridgway
Secretaries
- 1980 – 1983 Dr D C Shanson
- 1983 – 1986 Dr M C Kelsey
- 1986 – 1989 Dr A J Howard
- 1989 – 1992 Dr R C Spencer
- 1992 – 1993 Dr D McGhie
- 1993 – 1996 Dr F Falkiner
- 1996 – 1999 Dr M Wilcox
- 1999 – 2005 Dr M Greig
- 2005 – 2006 Dr J Richards
- 2006 – 2009 Dr A Eastaway
- 2009 – 2015 Ms Carole Fry
- 2015 – Present Dr P Jenks
Scientific Secretaries (historical role)
- 1980 – 1982 Dr M W Casewell
- 1982 – 1984 Dr R H George
- 1984 – 1987 Dr T R F Rogers
- 1987 – 1990 Dr P J Wilkinson
- 1990 – 1993 Dr S M Mehtar
- 1993 – 1997 Dr G M Scott
- 1997 – 2003 Dr J Richards
- 2003 – 2005 Dr E T M Smyth
- 2005 – 2011 Dr T Boswell
- 2011 – Present Professor P Wilson (as Chair Scientific Development Committee)
Treasurers
- 1980 – 1984 Dr P D Meers
- 1984 – 1988 Dr S W B Newsom
- 1988 – 1999 Dr M C Kelsey
- 1999 – 2005 Dr A P Fraise
- 2005 – 2008 Dr M Greig
- 2008 – 2014 Dr W A Telfer Brunton
- 2014 – 2017 Dr A Colville
- 2017 – 2020 Dr Richard Cunningham
- 2020 – Present Dr Christopher Settle
Editors of The Journal of Hospital Infection
- 1980 – 1984 Professor G J Ayliffe
- 1985 – 1988 Dr P J Sanderson
- 1989 – 1993 Dr T R Rogers
- 1993 – 1998 Professor G L French
- 1998 – 2005 Dr S P Barrett
- 2005 – 2010 Dr S Dancer
- 2010 – 2015 Dr J Child
- 2015 – Present Dr J Gray
Honorary Archivists
- 1989 – 1992 Dr P Sanderson
- 2018 – Present Dr R C Spencer
Registered as a charitable incorporated organisation charity number: 1158172
VAT registration number: GB 432177565
Registered address: 344-354 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8BP