Inspection checklist
Ward environment walk-round
A short walk-round of a ward or clinical area: patient safety basics, fire precautions and the general condition of the environment.
Fill it in online - free, no account needed. 15 questions.
What it is for
Walk the area, answer each point, and leave with a dated record of what was found.
- Check a ward or clinical area against a fixed list
- Record what was found, with a note where something is wrong
- Keep a dated, signed record of the walk-round
The full question list
1. Patient Safety
- Call bells are within patient reach *
- Bed rails used appropriately and documented *
- Fall prevention measures in place for at-risk patients *
- Patient identification bands are correct and legible *
- Oxygen and suction equipment accessible and working *
2. Fire Safety
- Fire exits are unobstructed and clearly signed *
- Fire doors are not wedged open *
- Fire extinguishers are present and in date *
- Evacuation plan is displayed and current *
3. General Environment
- Flooring is in good condition (no trip hazards) *
- Lighting is adequate in all areas *
- Temperature is comfortable for patients *
- No unpleasant odours *
- Notice boards are current and relevant
- Additional observations
References
- Supports evidence for: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, reg. 12(2)(d)
the things which a registered person must do to comply with that paragraph include ... ensuring that the premises used by the service provider are safe to use for their intended purpose and are used in a safe way
Read the source - Supports evidence for: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, reg. 15(1)
All premises and equipment used by the service provider must be— (a) clean, (b) secure, (c) suitable for the purpose for which they are being used, (d) properly used (e) properly maintained, and (f) appropriately located for the purpose for which they are being used.
Read the source - Supports evidence for: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, reg. 17(2)(a)
such systems or processes must enable the registered person, in particular, to ... assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided in the carrying on of the regulated activity
Read the source - Supports evidence for: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, art. 14(1)
the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times
Read the source - Supports evidence for: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, art. 13(1)
the responsible person must ensure that— (a) the premises are, to the extent that it is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors and alarms; and (b) any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs
Read the source - Supports evidence for: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, reg. 15(1)(e)
All premises and equipment used by the service provider must be ... (e) properly maintained, and
Read the source - Supports evidence for: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, reg. 12(2)(e)
the things which a registered person must do to comply with that paragraph include ... ensuring that the equipment used by the service provider for providing care or treatment to a service user is safe for such use and is used in a safe way
Read the source
How the score works
The score is the share of scored questions that pass. N/A is left out of the score; text, dates and signatures are recorded but not scored. A completed template is a record of what you checked; it is not an inspection by a regulator or an accreditation body.