The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety launched its action plan for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections at a major infection control conference in Belfast on 13 March 2006. Entitled “Changing the Culture”, the plan took forward the proposals in the June 2005 strategy after due consideration of the responses made during the consultation period. It is a three-year plan and it is intended that its effectiveness will be assessed on its conclusion in 2009. A multi-disciplinary steering group is in place to monitor implementation during this period.