SHTM — Scottish Health Technical Memoranda for Healthcare Cleaning Standards in Scotland
SHTM — Scottish Health Technical Memoranda for Healthcare Cleaning Standards in Scotland
Scottish Health Technical Memoranda (SHTMs) are the Scottish equivalent of the NHS Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) that apply in England. SHTMs are published by the Scottish Government Health Directorates and set technical standards for the design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of healthcare buildings and engineering systems in NHS Scotland facilities. Healthcare contractors and cleaning operatives working in NHS Scotland hospitals, health centres and other NHS Scotland premises must work to SHTM standards, not to the English HTMs. While the content of SHTMs and HTMs is broadly similar in many areas, there are differences in detail, document numbering and implementation guidance that matter for contractors working across both sides of the border.
Key SHTMs relevant to cleaning and maintenance contractors
SHTM 03-01 -- Ventilation for healthcare premises
SHTM 03-01 covers ventilation systems in healthcare buildings including operating theatre ventilation, isolation room ventilation and general ward ventilation. Maintenance of ventilation plant -- cleaning of ductwork, filter replacement, access panel cleaning -- generates dust in clinical environments. ICRA-controlled working is required for maintenance that disturbs ventilation systems in clinical areas. H-Class extraction is mandatory for any dust-generating work in ICRA-controlled environments. See: ICRA guidance | H-Class extraction
SHTM 04-01 -- Water systems in healthcare premises
SHTM 04-01 covers the design, installation and management of water systems in NHS Scotland facilities. Legionella risk management in NHS Scotland water systems is governed by SHTM 04-01 alongside HSE ACoP L8. Contractors carrying out water system cleaning, tank cleaning and cooling tower maintenance in NHS Scotland facilities must work to SHTM 04-01 requirements. See: Legionella control and ACoP L8
SHTM 01-01 -- Decontamination in primary care dental practices
Dental practice decontamination in Scotland is governed by SHTM 01-01 (Scotland). Cleaning of dental surgeries, decontamination rooms and equipment requires compliance with SHTM 01-01 alongside general infection control requirements.
NHS Scotland cleaning standards
NHS Scotland has its own national cleaning standards document -- the National Cleaning Services Specification (NCSS) for NHS Scotland -- which is the Scottish equivalent of the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 that applies in England. The NCSS sets the cleaning frequency, audit and performance monitoring requirements for NHS Scotland facilities. Cleaning contractors working in NHS Scotland must comply with the NCSS, not the English NSHC 2021.
The practical equipment requirements are consistent with the English framework -- HEPA-filtered vacuum equipment for clinical areas, colour-coded accessories, documented completion records -- but the specific audit framework and contract requirements are different. See: NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 (England)
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is the regulator for NHS Scotland, broadly equivalent to the Care Quality Commission in England. HIS inspects NHS Scotland facilities and can make recommendations on cleanliness and infection control standards. Contractors whose services fall below the standards set by NCSS and relevant SHTMs may contribute to adverse HIS inspection findings for their NHS Scotland clients.
Related legislation and compliance
HTM (England) | NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 | ICRA | CQC Standards | Legionella control and ACoP L8 | H-Class extraction
Related sector pages
Trade accounts for NHS Scotland contractors
V-TUF holds UK warehouse stock with next-day delivery to Scottish postcodes including NHS Scotland facilities. Trade account terms available for NHS Scotland cleaning contractors and maintenance teams.
Telephone: 01522 787978. Email through the contact page.