Maintaining the highest hygiene standards in healthcare environments is critical in preventing the spread of infections. The National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025, recently updated by the NHS, provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring cleanliness is a top priority across healthcare settings.

This release of National Standards marks a significant advancement in the commitment to maintaining hygienic healthcare environments. These updated standards not only replace the 2021 guidelines, but they also introduce new good practices, which now include ambulances. 

These standards focus on a collaborative approach to cleaning, transparent auditing, and tailored cleaning protocols that address the specific needs of different areas, especially those with high-risk factors.

One of the most critical aspects of healthcare hygiene is ensuring that high-touch surfaces, such as hospital doors, are frequently cleaned and maintained to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. In line with these standards, SDS provides high-quality, durable, and hygienic solutions designed specifically for healthcare settings. PVC post-formed doorsets, such as Dfendoor, are engineered to meet the hygiene requirements of healthcare facilities.

The role of doors in infection control.

Hospitals and healthcare environments are high-risk areas where infection control is paramount. The National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness stress the importance of rigorous and frequent cleaning across all areas, with particular focus on high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, frames, and panels. These areas are constantly exposed to bacteria and germs, making them a key factor in infection transmission.

To support healthcare facilities in maintaining the highest hygiene standards, SDS has designed its PVC post-formed doorsets to withstand multiple cleans every day. These doors can handle harsh cleaning chemicals and the rigorous demands of daily sanitation, ensuring that your healthcare facility remains hygienic without compromising on durability or aesthetic appeal.

The non-porous nature of Dfendoor doors prevents any absorption of moisture, which can otherwise lead to the growth of harmful bacteria. This makes them an ideal choice for areas that require high levels of cleanliness, such as operating theatres, patient wards, and clinical areas - as well as high traffic areas where the risk of infection spread is at its highest.

Antibacterial ironmongery: A continuous line of defence.

In addition to the robust and hygienic nature of our PVC post-formed doors, we also ensure that every element of the door system works in harmony to support infection control efforts. Our antibacterial ironmongery is a critical component in this regard. Made with specially treated materials, our ironmongery continuously kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria, providing an extra layer of protection against infection transmission.

Our Define copper range features copper-nickel alloy, which eats away at bacteria, whereas the addition of nickel makes the alloy tarnish-resistant, so it will not oxidise and patinate like pure copper.
This means that our copper ironmongery actively works 24/7 to combat bacteria without wearing away.

Compliant with NHS hygiene standards.

Our commitment to healthcare hygiene doesn’t stop at design. SDS is proud to offer solutions that align with the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025.

By using Dfendoor doors in your healthcare facility, you can ensure that you meet the stringent hygiene requirements set by the NHS. These doors are designed to help reduce the risk of infection and support ongoing cleaning efforts ensuring a safer environment for all. Let’s work together to keep healthcare environments safe, hygienic, and ready to support patient care every day.

To find out more about how SDS can help you maintain the highest levels of hygiene, speak to one of our specialists.