CuraFlow DC-F07CQCSection F · Health, Safety and Infection Prevention
Clinical and Healthcare Waste Management policy
For CQC-registered domiciliary care services · version 1.0 · last reviewed 1 June 2026
Waste created during care in someone's home raises the question of who is responsible for disposing of it. This policy sets out the types of healthcare waste and the colour coding used, correct segregation, offensive and hygiene waste, infectious, medicinal and cytotoxic waste, and sharps waste.
What this policy covers
- Why safe waste management matters
- The framework
- Types of healthcare waste and colour coding
- Waste in domiciliary care — who is responsible
- Segregating waste correctly
- Offensive and hygiene waste
- Infectious, medicinal and cytotoxic waste
- Sharps waste
- Containers, labelling and filling
- Storage and collection in the home
- Transport and the duty of care
- Dealing with waste and spillages safely
Regulations and guidance it supports
Supports the fundamental standards at Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
- Environmental Protection Act 1990
- Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005
- Controlled Waste Regulations 2012
- The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
- Health and Social Care Act 2008
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 (F06)
Common questions
- Is the clinical and healthcare waste management policy CQC-aligned?
- Yes. It is written and reviewed by practising UK compliance consultants against current CQC expectations, and supports the fundamental standards at Regulation 20. It is a controlled starting-point document that you adapt to your own service — you remain the accountable provider.
- Can I download and edit this policy?
- Yes. It downloads as Word (.docx) or PDF with your company name, registered manager, CQC ID and address already filled in on the cover page and throughout the document. The Word version is fully editable.
- Can I buy this policy on its own?
- Policies are sold as a complete library rather than individually, because CQC expects a coherent set that cross-references properly — a single policy in isolation creates gaps. The domiciliary care library contains 141 policies and can be bought outright as a one-off purchase and kept permanently.
- How often is it reviewed?
- The library is re-reviewed every six months and after any material regulatory change. This policy was last reviewed 1 June 2026, and is at version 1.0. Updates reach you automatically, so downloads always reflect the current version.