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Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Communal Toilets and Bathrooms Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all communal toilets, bathrooms and shower facilities at {{org_field_name}} are managed in a way that maintains appropriate standards of cleanliness, hygiene, safety, privacy, dignity, accessibility and infection prevention and control. Communal facilities are used by more than one individual and must therefore be managed so that risks to health, safety and well-being are identified and reduced so far as is reasonably practicable, while individuals’ privacy, dignity, independence and personal preferences are respected.

This policy supports compliance with the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 and the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017, as amended, including the requirements relating to standards of care and support, respect and sensitivity, premises, facilities and equipment, hygiene and infection control, and health and safety. The service will also have regard to the current statutory guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers and relevant current national infection prevention and control guidance applicable in Wales.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff employed at {{org_field_name}} including care workers, domestic staff, management, maintenance staff, and agency workers. It also informs visiting professionals, individuals using the service, and their families of our approach to managing shared facilities. Communal toilets and bathrooms include any toilet or bathing area that is used by more than one person and is not designated solely for one individual.

3. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:
CHW11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy
CHW16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy
CHW17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy
CHW18 – Risk Management and Assessment Policy
CHW22 – Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Substances Policy
CHW24 – Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy
CHW40 – Assisting with Personal Care Policy

4. Policy Statement

Communal toilets and bathrooms are essential shared spaces that must be maintained to a standard that ensures they are always clean, well-stocked, accessible, safe, and used in a way that preserves individual dignity and privacy. All staff are responsible for ensuring these areas meet regulatory requirements and for reporting or addressing concerns promptly. Cleaning schedules, access controls, and infection control protocols are in place and monitored closely by the Registered Manager, {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}, and the Infection Control Lead, {{org_field_infection_control_lead_name}}.

5. Cleanliness and Infection Control

Communal toilets, bathrooms and shower facilities are included within the service’s documented cleaning programme and are cleaned thoroughly at least twice daily, checked hourly and cleaned additionally whenever contamination, soiling or another identified infection risk makes this necessary. Cleaning and checks are recorded using the service’s cleaning records, with arrangements in place for oversight of cleanliness and prompt corrective action where any shortfall is identified.

Where a toilet, bathroom or shower has been used by an individual who is known or suspected to have an infection, staff will apply the appropriate standard infection control precautions and, where indicated, transmission-based precautions in accordance with the current infection prevention and control guidance applicable in Wales and CHW17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy. Enhanced cleaning or decontamination will be undertaken where required for the particular infection or contamination involved.

High-touch surfaces, including toilet flush controls, door handles, taps, grab rails, call systems and light switches, are cleaned and decontaminated at a frequency appropriate to their use and assessed infection risk.

Cleaning products and disinfectants must be suitable for their intended purpose and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, including the correct dilution, application method and contact time. Hazardous substances used for cleaning must be assessed, stored, handled and used in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the service’s relevant procedures.

Staff carrying out cleaning must perform appropriate hand hygiene and use personal protective equipment appropriate to the task and assessed risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, chemicals or other hazards. Gloves and aprons must be worn where indicated, with additional protective equipment used where the risk assessment or current infection prevention and control guidance requires it.

Waste generated during cleaning must be segregated and disposed of through the appropriate general, offensive, clinical or other designated waste stream according to its classification and the service’s waste-management and infection-control procedures.

6. Stocking and Equipment

Communal toilets, bathrooms and shower facilities must have sufficient supplies and equipment of a suitable type to meet the assessed care and support needs of the individuals using the service. Appropriate supplies include toilet tissue, liquid hand soap, suitable hand-drying facilities and sanitary disposal arrangements. Personal protective equipment required by staff, including gloves and aprons, must be readily accessible to staff and stored appropriately.

Emergency or contingency supplies must be maintained in suitable storage accessible to authorised staff. Continence products, personal toiletries and other items belonging to an individual must be stored appropriately and in a way that protects the individual’s privacy and dignity and prevents inappropriate communal use.

Equipment such as bath hoists, shower chairs, commode chairs, raised toilet seats, support frames and other reusable aids must be suitable for the individuals using them, maintained in safe working order and cleaned and, where required, decontaminated between individuals or uses in accordance with the assessed infection risk, current infection prevention and control guidance and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Equipment must be inspected, serviced and maintained at the intervals required by applicable legislation, risk assessment and manufacturer’s instructions. Defective or unsafe equipment must be removed from use or made inaccessible immediately and reported through the service’s maintenance and health and safety arrangements.

7. Privacy and Dignity

Individuals using communal toilets, bathrooms and shower facilities must be supported in a manner that respects and protects their privacy, dignity, confidentiality, autonomy and independence.

Bathroom, shower and toilet doors must be closed during use unless an individual chooses otherwise or this would be inconsistent with an assessed need documented within their personal plan or risk assessment. Suitable locks, privacy arrangements and “in use” indicators must be provided where appropriate. Any locking arrangement must protect privacy while allowing authorised staff to gain access promptly in an emergency.

Staff must not enter an occupied toilet, bathroom or shower area unless they are providing agreed care or support, responding to the individual’s request for assistance, responding to an emergency or immediate concern for the individual’s safety or well-being, or where another lawful and necessary reason requires access. Before entering, staff must announce themselves wherever practicable and explain the reason for entry.

Curtains, blinds, privacy screens or other appropriate measures must be used where necessary to protect dignity during personal care. Individuals receiving intimate personal care must have their personal preferences respected and recorded within their personal plan, including preferences concerning the gender of staff providing intimate care where this has been expressed.

Staff must respect each individual’s protected characteristics, personal identity, culture, beliefs and preferences when supporting them to use toilet, bathing and shower facilities. Reasonable adjustments must be made where required to enable individuals to use facilities safely and with as much independence, choice and privacy as possible.

Staff must not use toilets or bathrooms designated exclusively for individuals receiving the service or for visitors where separate staff facilities are provided.

8. Accessibility and Safety

The service must provide toilets, bathrooms and showers of sufficient number and suitable type to meet the assessed needs of the individuals accommodated at {{org_field_name}}. These facilities must be appropriately equipped and located so that individuals can access and use them easily and safely, having regard to the service’s statement of purpose and the physical, cognitive, sensory and communication needs of the individuals using the service.

Facilities and adaptations must be provided according to assessed need and may include grab rails, appropriately positioned sanitary fittings, accessible wash hand basins, raised toilet equipment, shower seating, bath or shower hoists, suitable non-slip flooring, appropriate signage, adequate lighting and emergency call systems.

Reasonable adjustments must be made where required so that individuals with disabilities can access and use toilet, bathroom and shower facilities safely and, wherever reasonably practicable, independently.

Emergency call systems and other safety equipment provided within these facilities must be maintained in working order and positioned so that they are accessible to the individuals for whom they are intended. Staff must respond promptly when assistance is requested.

Doors, locks and privacy arrangements must be designed and managed so that individuals’ privacy and dignity are protected while authorised staff are able to gain access from outside in an emergency. Locks, release mechanisms and emergency access arrangements must be checked and maintained to ensure they remain functional.

Water temperatures must be controlled and monitored in accordance with the service’s water-safety and health and safety arrangements so that the risk of scalding is reduced so far as reasonably practicable while also maintaining appropriate water hygiene controls.

The service must identify and assess health and safety risks associated with communal toilets, bathrooms and shower facilities and reduce identified risks so far as reasonably practicable. This includes risks associated with slips and falls, wet floors, hot water, unsuitable or defective equipment, accessibility, manual handling, infection, cleaning chemicals, damaged surfaces, inadequate lighting or ventilation and emergency access.

Routine checks must be undertaken to ensure that facilities, fittings, emergency call systems, grab rails, flooring, lighting, ventilation, doors, locks and relevant equipment remain safe, functional and suitable for the individuals using them. Defects or hazards must be reported promptly, recorded and addressed according to the level of risk. Where a facility cannot be used safely, access must be prevented until the risk has been adequately controlled.

During cleaning, maintenance or repair work, appropriate measures, including warning signs or restricting access where necessary, must be used to protect individuals, staff and visitors from risk.

9. Supervision and Support During Use

Individuals who require support with personal care in communal bathrooms are assisted in accordance with their individual care plan and risk assessment. Two staff are present for intimate care if required for safety and dignity. Staff are trained to communicate clearly, gain consent, explain each step of the procedure, and ensure that the individual remains covered and respected at all times. Any incidents such as slips, toileting accidents, or skin tears are reported and recorded in line with CHW24 – Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy.

10. Waste Disposal and Laundry

Waste generated within communal toilets, bathrooms and shower facilities must be handled, segregated, stored and disposed of safely through the appropriate waste stream in accordance with CHW22 – Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Substances Policy, CHW17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy, applicable waste requirements and current national infection prevention and control guidance.

General, offensive, clinical, sanitary and other hazardous waste must not be mixed where separate disposal arrangements are required. Waste must be placed into the appropriate designated receptacle and bags must be securely closed before removal. Double-bagging must only be used where required by the applicable waste-management procedure, infection prevention and control precautions or because the original bag has become damaged or contaminated externally.

Waste receptacles must be suitable for their intended purpose, appropriately located, kept in a clean condition and emptied with sufficient frequency to prevent overfilling, leakage, avoidable odours or contamination. Clinical or hazardous waste must be stored securely pending collection and must not be accessible to individuals or unauthorised persons.

Staff handling waste must use personal protective equipment appropriate to the task and assessed risk and must perform hand hygiene after handling waste and after removing personal protective equipment.

Used towels, face cloths, reusable bathing textiles and other laundry must be handled in a way that minimises unnecessary handling and prevents contamination of staff, individuals, clean linen and the environment. Used or contaminated laundry must be placed directly into the appropriate laundry bag or system and transported and processed in accordance with CHW17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy and the service’s laundry procedures.

Personal clothing or belongings found within communal facilities must be handled in a way that protects the individual’s dignity, privacy and property and must be returned, cleaned or laundered as appropriate.

11. Signage and Information

Clear signage is used to identify male, female, accessible, and staff-only facilities. Notices reminding staff and residents about handwashing, infection control, and dignity principles are placed discreetly in appropriate locations. Emergency instructions are also displayed in bathrooms, including what to do in case of a fall or if assistance is needed.

12. Training and Competency

All staff receive training on infection control, dignity in personal care, COSHH, manual handling, and assisting individuals with continence and hygiene needs. Refresher training is provided annually and more frequently where there is a concern or incident involving hygiene or safety in communal bathrooms. Competence is monitored through supervision, observations, and internal audits.

13. Monitoring and Quality Assurance

The Registered Manager and Infection Control Lead carry out monthly audits of communal toilets and bathrooms, reviewing cleanliness, maintenance, privacy standards, incident logs, and resident feedback. Action plans are created where issues are found and outcomes monitored. This is part of our Quality of Care Review and governance system. The results of these audits are available to CIW inspectors upon request.

14. Responding to Feedback or Concerns

We encourage residents, families, staff, and visitors to raise concerns about communal bathroom hygiene or safety. Concerns can be raised directly with staff, through feedback forms, or during care reviews. All concerns are logged, investigated, and addressed in a timely and transparent manner, in accordance with CHW14 – Receiving and Acting on Complaints Policy.

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if prompted by updated legislation, CIW recommendations, incidents, or changes in best practice. All staff are informed of updates through training and team briefings.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.