New cleaning standards from NHSE/I

In Summer 2021, NHS England/Improvement (NHSE/I) released the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness (NSoHC) 2021 which encompasses all cleaning tasks throughout the NHS.

NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has been reviewing and developing a plan to implement the new cleaning standards with our customers.

NHSPS’ approach is to deliver the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 in a consistent manner, ensuring all mandatory requirements are implemented for all customers whilst also ensuring engagement with each individual customer to determine how best to implement the new standards to meet your needs and requirements.

The following details the high-level implementation timeline for acute and mental health Trusts.

Throughout November and December, NHSPS are undertaking briefing and training sessions with FM managers on the new standards.

Throughout December, January and February 2022, meetings will be held with all customers in acute and mental health Trusts. These meetings will provide detail on NHSPS’ implementation approach and to discuss individual requirements, such as agreeing functional risk categories for their areas.

Following the completion of customer meetings, NHSPS will produce an implementation plan which will detail the steps to implement the new cleaning standards. Implementation of the new standards is likely to commence from February 2022*.

In line with NHS England and Improvement’s implementation timescales, NHSPS is prioritising acute and mental health Trusts first to ensure they are fully implemented by May 2022. Once these environments have been implemented, NHSPS will engage with all other customers in to ensure the new cleaning standards are implemented by November 2022*.

*If there is a requirement to implement the new standards sooner than this date, please contact your Facilities Service Manager or our Customer Support Centre to detail your requirements and NHSPS will review on a case by case basis how we can support.

Find out more about how we maintain healthcare environments.

Have a question?

In the meantime, please contact the Customer Support Centre or your local Facilities Service Manager if you have any questions.