Medical rooms: requirements and guidance

Find out what medical accommodation you must provide for pupils, and get advice on the equipment you should have in it.

Last reviewed on 15 May 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 32726
Contents
  1. You must have medical accommodation
  2. What it should include 
  3. You shouldn't combine hygiene and medical rooms

You must have medical accommodation

This is a statutory requirement. You must make sure your accommodation:

  • Is suitable for medically examining and treating pupils
  • Is suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils
  • Has a washing facility
  • Is near a toilet
  • Caters for pupils with complex needs (if you have such pupils on your roll)

You can use this accommodation for other purposes (aside from teaching), but it must be readily available for the purposes listed above.

This is outlined in regulation 5 of the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 for maintained schools, and part 5 of the The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 for academies and independent schools. 

What it should include 

Medical inspection room for medical treatment, therapy, and space for sick or injured pupils who need to rest on a bed Sick bay for ill or injured pupils waiting to be picked up. This should be