CQC Pressure Is Growing - Could Drainage And Plumbing Be The Missing Piece - Special Podcast

In the latest Care Home Management magazine podcast, host Steve Hemsley talks to Metro Rod managing director Steve Chambers about why drainage and plumbing are often overlooked elements of care home governance, risk management and CQC outcomes.

Chambers discusses how many care providers only think about drainage and plumbing when something goes wrong. However, failures can shut down kitchens, toilets, heating and hot water, directly impacting residents’ safety, dignity and infection control.

He urges preventative maintenance with best practice including:  

• Asset mapping to understand where a care home’s drains, manholes and lines run
• Regular servicing and CCTV surveys of drains and grease traps, especially in kitchens producing high meal volumes
• Paying specific attention to older buildings with clay or cast iron pipes prone to scale, cracking and root ingress
• Routine checks and servicing of boilers and TMVs (thermostatic mixing valves) every six months to prevent scalding and maintain water pressure.

Chambers also explains why problems often appear at night and why care homes need a reliable primary and backup contractor, with genuine out-of-hours response.

On CQC performance, he links good ratings to trained staff who can spot early warning signs (smells, slow drains, refilling toilets), have documented crisis plans, and understand compliance with food waste and drainage regulations.

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Podcast sponsored by Hendrix Training.  Providing actors to support care home corporate training role plays.