Condition or appearance categories and descriptions

Some descriptions differ slightly for mental health organisations.

Description

Should be bright, coordinated and in good condition. Paintwork should be free from chips, scratches and other damage. Wallpaper (if any) should be free from excessive damage (for example, tears) and should be appropriate to the patients. On children’s wards it should not only suit the very young. Artwork should be appropriate, clean and in good condition.

Description

Should be free from permanent damage and marks (that cannot be removed by cleaning), and working. Also:

• there should be clear instructions displayed on how to report broken / malfunctioning items
• free from stains/marks (including water damage and permanent marks caused by adhesive residues)
• free from scuffs, scratches, gouges, tears, holes (including exposed screw-holes), corrosion/rust, limescale or other deposits
• any items which have an action – for example, automatic doors, taps, lights – should be working correctly
• toilets and bathrooms must have working locks (except in en-suite rooms where the outer door can be locked)
• ceiling tiles – unless there is current maintenance work that requires ceiling tiles to be removed – should all be in place and in good condition
• main appliances such as cookers, microwaves, fridges and freezers, washing machines and dryers should be fully working and free from external damage (for example cracks, dents or rust). Where there is any doubt about the functionality of equipment, advice should be sought from staff. Smaller equipment such as pans and crockery should similarly be in good condition and free from chips and cracks

Description

All floors should be even, free from excessive tears, splits, wear, cracks, tape or raised/lifting areas. Any carpeting should be appropriate to the area. Barrier matting (for example, in entrances) should be in good condition and firmly fixed in place.

Description

Chairs and seating should be made from wipeable/impervious material. Also:

• they should be in good condition (for example, free from excessive permanent stains/marks, wear, fraying or tears or, in the case of plastic seating, not cracked or broken)
• where seating is fixed to the floor, fixings should be robust and in good repair so that seating is not loose

Description

Natural light should be available wherever possible. Where artificial lighting is used, this should be adequate to maintain normal daily activity and provide enough light to make areas bright and easy to walk through.

Lighting should be suitable for the area and be even, for example without pools of light and/or dark areas, stripes or shadows. Energy-saving/motion- activated lighting is acceptable, but should be designed to respond quickly and to light the area well, particularly in long corridors, lifts or areas where there is no natural light. Bulbs should be working.

Description

All bed linen, pillows, patient gowns, towels and curtains should:

• be good-quality, clean, in good condition, bright and free from all but the smallest, professional repairs
• pillows and duvets should be made of or covered with wipeable/washable material
• disposable curtains should display the date they were hung

Some patients in mental health / learning disabilities units are permitted to use their own bedding and this should be recognised in the assessment when considering quality, condition, matching and fabric.

Description

Equipment, when not in use, should be stored out of sight in rooms or areas set aside for that purpose.

• bathrooms, toilets or other patient areas (for example, day rooms) should never be used for storage
• boxes should not be stored on the floor or cupboard tops or other level surfaces, as this presents a potential hazard
• nothing should ever be stored in doorways
• any storage in corridors should not impede wheelchair accessibility
• fire exists should be kept clear at all times

Description

Tidiness is important as not only does a tidy ward or area create an impression of order and good management, but also an untidy ward/area significantly impacts on the ability to clean.

• reception areas and nursing stations should look neat and tidy
• noticeboards should display only essential information and up-to-date notices
• there should be separate noticeboards for patient and staff information
• temporary signs should be up to date, relevant and of good quality (for example printed and laminated)

Description

There should be enough waste bins throughout the ward to help keep litter to a minimum.  Also:

• they should have liners, be big enough for the area/purpose, and not be overflowing
• they should have soft-closing or no touch bins which should be working
• they should have a solid outer cover (no ‘free-hanging’ bags)
• their purpose should be clearly displayed on a label (for example, domestic, clinical or hazardous). This might not be relevant to some areas where only one type of waste exists