The revised framework places greater weight on evidence of proactive maintenance planning, not just reactive compliance. Inspectors will now ask to see rolling 12-month maintenance programmes.
Why this matters
Providers rated "Requires Improvement" on environmental safety are increasingly being rated on the absence of documented plans, not the absence of actual hazards.
What to do
- 1Prepare a documented 12-month rolling maintenance programme and keep it current.
- 2Ensure your planned preventative maintenance schedule is accessible during any CQC visit.
- 3Review your last CQC report if environmental safety was flagged, produce a written action plan.
Primary source
CQC How We Inspect: Environmental Safety
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