What is HTM 63 and Why Does It Matter for Healthcare Washrooms?

What is HTM 63?

HTM 63 — Health Technical Memorandum 63 — is the NHS guidance document covering joinery systems in healthcare settings. It specifies requirements for worktops, cupboards, shelving and related items used in clinical and semi-clinical areas, with infection control as the primary design driver.

Why HTM 63 Matters

In healthcare environments, surfaces and fixtures must support rigorous cleaning and disinfection regimes. Standard domestic or commercial worktops and joinery are not suitable for clinical use — they may harbour bacteria, absorb contamination or fail to withstand hospital-grade cleaning products. HTM 63 sets out the material, construction and performance requirements that healthcare joinery must meet.

Where HTM 63 Applies

HTM 63 applies to clinical and semi-clinical areas in NHS and private healthcare facilities. This includes: clinical treatment rooms, consulting rooms, ward areas, sluice rooms, pharmacy areas, and any space where clinical procedures are performed or clinical waste is handled. HTM 63 does not typically apply to standard patient washrooms and toilets, but CGL cubicles are still recommended for healthcare washrooms due to their hygiene and cleanability properties.

HTM 63 Material Requirements

HTM 63 requires worktops and joinery to be: non-porous and impervious to bacteria; resistant to hospital cleaning agents including bleach-based disinfectants; seamless or minimal-join to eliminate areas where contamination can accumulate; and durable enough to withstand frequent cleaning without surface degradation.

Bridgewater Direct HTM 63-Compliant Worktops

Bridgewater Direct supplies worktops that meet HTM 63 requirements for healthcare environments. Our healthcare worktops feature solid-surface construction, seamless upstand options and materials that withstand the clinical cleaning regimes required in NHS settings. They are available in a range of sizes and can be made to measure for any clinical environment.

CGL Cubicles for Healthcare Washrooms

For healthcare washroom cubicles, CGL (Compact Grade Laminate) is the appropriate specification. Its non-porous surface, waterproof construction and resistance to cleaning chemicals make it ideal for hospital and clinical washrooms. The Alpine CGL range from Bridgewater Direct is suitable for NHS and private healthcare washroom projects.

Specifying for Your Healthcare Project

If you are specifying for an NHS or healthcare project and need advice on HTM 63 compliance, worktop specification or cubicle material selection, contact Bridgewater Direct. Our team has experience supplying healthcare facilities across the UK and can advise on the right specification for your environment.