CQC assesses GP surgery cleaning under two regulations and an infection-control code: Regulation 15 requires clean, suitable, well-maintained premises; Regulation 12 requires the practice to assess and control infection risk; and the IPC Code sets the standard for a clean environment. This 2026 checklist sets out what inspectors look for and the evidence that satisfies them.
The three things CQC assesses
Cleaning in a GP surgery is judged against three linked requirements. Regulation 15 (Premises and equipment) requires premises and equipment to be clean, secure, suitable and properly maintained. Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment) requires the practice to assess the risk of, and prevent, detect and control, the spread of infections. The IPC Code of Practice underpins both. Our GP surgery cleaning service is built around exactly these.
Regulation 15: clean, suitable premises
Under Regulation 15, inspectors expect premises and equipment to be visibly clean and free from offensive odours, with appropriate cleaning methods and agents in use, an appropriate cleaning schedule in place, cleanliness monitored, shortfalls acted on without delay, and cleaning staff trained. CQC cannot prosecute for a Regulation 15 breach alone, but it can take other regulatory action and must refuse registration where compliance cannot be assured.
Regulation 12: infection prevention and control
Regulation 12(2)(h) requires the practice to assess the risk of, and prevent, detect and control the spread of, infections — including healthcare-associated infections. This is the serious one: CQC can prosecute a Regulation 12 breach where failure results in avoidable harm or exposes a person to a significant risk of harm, and no warning notice is required first. Cleaning is central to meeting it, which is why clinical infection-control cleaning is a distinct discipline.
The IPC Code and NHS cleaning standards
The IPC Code (the 'Hygiene Code') sets ten criteria, of which criterion 2 requires a clean and appropriate environment that facilitates infection prevention, and criterion 6 requires that all care workers — including contractors — know and discharge their IPC responsibilities. GP surgeries also sit within the scope of the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025, which assign functional areas a risk category (FR1–FR6) with target audit scores.
The GP surgery cleaning checklist
The table below turns the regulations into a practical checklist of what inspectors look for. The common thread is evidence: a documented cleaning schedule, BICSc colour-coding (red for sanitary areas, blue for general, green for kitchens, yellow for clinical), COSHH assessments, monitoring records, and trained, Enhanced-DBS-checked staff. To prepare for an audit specifically, see IPC audit preparation, and to have it delivered, request a fixed monthly quote.
What CQC inspectors look for — GP surgery cleaning checklist
| Area inspectors check | What good looks like | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Visible cleanliness | Premises visibly clean, free from odours | Reg 15 |
| Cleaning schedule | Documented schedule, frequencies, sign-off | Reg 15 / IPC Code |
| Infection-risk control | Clinical areas cleaned to control HCAI | Reg 12(2)(h) |
| Colour-coding | BICSc red/blue/green/yellow separation | IPC / best practice |
| COSHH & products | Assessments for each product, correct use | Reg 15 / HSE COSHH |
| Monitoring & action | Cleanliness monitored, shortfalls actioned | Reg 15 |
| Trained, vetted staff | Trained cleaners, Enhanced DBS where required | Reg 15 / IPC criterion 6 |