The NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025 are now in full effect, and it’s increasingly likely that they will form a core part of CQC inspections moving forward. Practice Managers, Infection Control Leads, and cleaning providers must all understand how these standards will impact daily operations and inspection readiness.

 

 One of the most significant changes is the continued emphasis on the environmental cleanliness rating system, introduced in the earlier 2021 framework and firmly embedded in NHS guidance. This system uses a 1–5 scale to assess how well a practice meets national cleaning standards, with 5 representing full compliance. Ratings are determined through regular inspections, often carried out by independent assessors or external auditors.

 

 To achieve a rating of 5, practices must meet all criteria outlined in the 2025 standards. This includes having a dedicated cleaning team trained in infection prevention and control (IPC) and ensuring that all areas of the practice are cleaned and monitored daily. During inspection, documentation, training records, and visual cleanliness will all be reviewed.

 

 Another crucial element is the introduction of minimum requirements for washroom hygiene. To achieve a rating of 4 or above, practices must meet specific standards around hand hygiene facilities, cleaning frequency, and consumable storage, including toilet paper, hand towels, and waste bins.

 

 For Practice Managers, the takeaway is clear: compliance is no longer optional; it’s essential. Implementing the updated NHS standards and maintaining clear audit trails, documented cleaning plans, and trained operatives can ensure that practices provide a safe, hygienic, and CQC-ready environment for patients and staff alike.

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