In May 2016, the Department of Health released a revised version of their Guidance for Safe Water in Healthcare documentation, Health Technical Memorandum (HTM04-01).
The guidance now comprises 3 parts, A, B and C, which gives advice and guidance on the legal requirements, design applications, maintenance and operation of hot and cold water supply, storage and distribution systems in all types of healthcare premises including:
- Healthcare management
- Water Safety Groups
- Design engineers
- Estate managers
- Operations managers
- Contractors & Water Management companies
The new HTM provides advice and guidance on the control and management of the risk posed by Legionella & Pseudomonas aeruginosa and now specifies additional waterborne pathogens such as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Mycobacteria to be controlled within the healthcare environment.
In addition, new guidance has been included on the hygienic storing and installation of fittings and components and on the competency of installers/plumbers working on healthcare water systems. The guidance outlines that any person working on water distribution systems or cleaning water outlets needs to have completed a
water hygiene awareness training course.
Other control methods described in the new HTM04-01 include copper silver ionisation, which has seen impressive results in many healthcare environments. For further details about Copper Silver Ionisation visit our page.
The three parts of the HTM are as follows:
- Part A – covers the design, installation and commissioning.
- Part B – covers operational management, including guidance on the remit and aims of the now required Water Safety Group (WSG) and Water Safety Plan (WSP).
- Part C – focuses on specific additional measures that should be taken to control and minimise the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in augmented care units. It was previously published in 2013 as an Addendum to HTM 04-01.
The performance specification D08 about thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) published in 2015 has been added as a supplement to HTM04-01.
We will publish a summary of the key changes in due course, however if you have any questions about how the new HTM affects you or you would like information about Copper Silver Ionisation or a suitable Water Hygiene Awareness course, contact one of our Consultants at 0845 6399 637 or email enquiries@hberm.com
