Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises
Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises can be complicated. Many Practice Managers or Facilities Managers simply don’t have time to create the right Legionella risk assessment. There’s also the question of confidence. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Legionella compliance isn’t everyone’s choice of bedtime reading.
We know what’s required for CQC compliance. We also know what the Health and Safety Executive expect.
We know Legionella compliance inside out. It’s what we do.
Legionella risk assessments and compliance help to protect against three risk areas specific to healthcare providers:
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Healthcare premises are usually warm.
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Healthcare premises usually have extensive water systems.
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Healthcare providers treat people vulnerable to the Legionella bacteria.
This combination of factors puts healthcare premises at higher risk when it comes to Legionella and Legionnaires disease.
Need help with Legionella compliance and risk assessments for care homes, GP surgeries, dental practices, hospitals and other care providers? Let us know.
Legionella compliance support for healthcare premises
The Legionella risk assessment process is there for compliance and to protect life.
Our Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises go beyond giving you a piece of paper. We help you with the whole Legionella compliance process which could include testing, monitoring, keeping the right records and providing advice from experienced experts.
Care providers trust us to carry out Legionella risk assessments. But we do more than that. We help create a safe environment for residents, customers, patients, staff and visitors.
Legionella risk assessments and compliance support for:
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GP practices,
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Dental practices,
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Care homes,
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Private clinics,
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Cosmetics clinics,
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Hospitals.
If you need a fully compliant risk assessment for your healthcare premises then we can help.
A Legionella risk assessment is not just a piece of paper.
Legionella risk assessments are an in-depth survey of your water system(s) - the starting point for water hygiene compliance.
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Legionella compliance in hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes, dental practices and other healthcare premises
Legionella compliance is covered by:
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The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (for employers)
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The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
The Health and Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice L8 is a guide to any statutory duty holder, supported by their Health and Safety Guidance documents HSG274 Parts 1, 2 and 3 covering different types of water system.
Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises are just part of the whole Legionella compliance story.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Legionella compliance expects you to:
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Demonstrate understanding of the risks of Legionella
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Appoint a competent person to manage the risk of Legionella
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Keep fit-for-purpose records
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Undertake a regular Legionella risk assessment
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Follow the steps outlined in the most recent Legionella risk assessment
Need some help with this? We have the experience to make Legionella compliance feel straightforward.
Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises
It is a legal requirement to carry out regular Legionella risk assessments. This is because you have a legal duty of care to anyone on your premises.
Care homes, hospitals, GP surgeries, dental practices and other therapy premises all require specific and unique Legionella risk assessments. The right Legionella risk assessment will give you all of the information you need to implement the necessary precautionary measures to protect members of the public, patients, residents and staff.
Areas listed on a Legionella risk assessment include water tanks, toilets, showers and pipework through to specialist waterlines or cleaning equipment.
Renewing a Legionella risk assessment for a healthcare premises
A Legionella risk assessment needs to be renewed every two years. It's a key task for remaining compliant.
What’s included in a Legionella risk assessment for healthcare premises?
The Legionella risk assessment process assesses the risk of Legionella within each water system. The risk assessment also outlines how to manage any risks identified.
Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises have a few extra areas to consider. Key points we focus on when completing a Legionella risk assessment in care homes, hospitals, GP surgeries, dental practices or other healthcare premises:
The scalding potential of hot water outlets
The possible need for thermostatic mixing valves (TMV’s Mixing taps).
Infrequently used hot and cold water outlets
Homes tend to be excessively warm for the wellbeing of the residents so cold water pipework can easily become too hot (greater than 20 ℃) and develop an ideal environment for Legionella growth. Also, many homes have bedrooms with ensuites which are not used frequently. Therefore, temperature monitoring and flushing become a key control parameter to minimise Legionella growth.
Security
Security is a major issue, as some residents will be vulnerable. We are aware that it will be important to ensure that areas that need to be secured and remain secure once we've completed the necessary checks.
Maintenance
Due to high workloads, in-house maintenance staff do not have time to carry out consistent Legionella control tasks.
What to do with a Legionella risk assessment?
Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises are likely to outline specific actions. These actions should help minimise the risks of Legionella and may include:
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Staff Legionella awareness training,
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Temperature monitoring of taps,
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Keeping records,
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Regular flushing low-used taps,
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Cleaning and descaling taps,
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Removing redundant pipework,
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Water testing.
Legionella risk management should be ongoing to remain compliant. If you need help with these types of tasks then look no further. We can help you.
FAQs - Legionella risk assessments for healthcare
Can a Practice Manager carry out Legionella risk assessments for a GP surgery?
Yes, anyone in theory can conduct a Legionella risk assessment but they must be competent in understanding the requirements. If you want to conduct your own Legionella risk assessment then we can help you do that. Speak to the experts to get trained.
How many Legionella risk assessments do I need for a hospital department?
The number of Legionella risk assessments you need will vary depending on the water system complexity and how many different water systems there are. Each healthcare provider has a unique need which is why most healthcare providers trust experienced Legionella risk assessment experts like us.
How often does Legionella need to be checked in dentist water lines?
This is a common question and many practices don’t know the answer. Scary. Dental waterlines should be cleaned daily. It’s not necessary to routinely check specifically for Legionella but all records and monitoring requirements will be set out in a Legionella risk assessment that’s specific to each dental practice.
Are Legionella risk assessments for healthcare premises different to other sites?
The process is exactly the same but the complexity of the water systems is what often makes the process a little more complicated. The high risks of Legionella on healthcare premises also make it important that the correct and full risk assessment process is followed.
Does a clinic need a Legionella risk assessment if it’s privately owned?
Yes. Any premises that have a water system including sinks, toilets, water pipes or water tanks will need a Legionella risk assessment.
More information about Legionella compliance and risk assessments
There is a lot of information online about Legionella risks within Healthcare. We’ve pulled together some useful links if you want to read more.
Health and Safety Executive - Legionnaires, what you must do
Legionella and waterline management from the Care Quality Commission
Managing Legionella hot and cold water systems - Health and Safety Executive
Legionnaire myth-busting for GP practices