Home › Healthcare › Physiotherapy Clinic Risk Assessment
Physiotherapy Clinic Risk Assessment — CQC & HCPC Compliant for £29
A physiotherapy clinic risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and a CQC fundamental standard. Anyrisks generates a complete, UK-compliant risk assessment covering patient manual handling, treatment equipment, infection control and premises safety in minutes — written specifically for your clinic setup and treatment types.
Used by physiotherapy clinics, sports therapy practices, osteopaths and allied health professionals across the UK
🏥 CQC registered? Your risk assessment must demonstrate compliance with Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Mention your CQC registration and we'll ensure all fundamental standards are addressed including infection control, equipment safety and patient manual handling.
Legal requirements for physiotherapy clinics
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires every employer to assess risks to employees and others affected by their work. For physiotherapy clinics, this means assessing risks to both practitioners and patients. Section 2 places a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees, while Section 3 extends this duty to patients and visitors.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 make the requirement explicit. Regulation 3 states that every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected by the undertaking. For a physiotherapy clinic, this includes manual handling of patients, use of electrotherapy equipment, infection risks and slips, trips and falls on clinical premises.
If your clinic is CQC registered, you must also comply with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) requires providers to assess risks to the health and safety of service users and do all that is reasonably practicable to mitigate them. A written risk assessment is essential evidence of compliance with this fundamental standard.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are particularly relevant to physiotherapy practice. Regulation 4 requires employers to avoid hazardous manual handling so far as is reasonably practicable, and where it cannot be avoided, to assess the risk and reduce it to the lowest level reasonably practicable. Patient transfers, mobilisation support and assisted exercises all fall within scope.
Additional regulations that may apply include the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) for cleaning chemicals, massage oils and ultrasound gel, the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 if your clinic uses acupuncture or dry needling, and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 for electrotherapy equipment such as ultrasound machines, TENS units and laser therapy devices.
How it works
1. Describe your clinic
Tell us about your clinic setup — treatment types (manual therapy, electrotherapy, exercise rehabilitation), premises (ground floor, stairs, accessible toilets), patient handling (transfers, gait training, mobility aids), and equipment used. Mention if you are CQC registered or provide home visits and we will tailor the assessment accordingly.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant physiotherapy clinic risk assessment covering all clinical and premises hazards, referencing the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, CQC fundamental standards and MHSWR 1999. Every section is written in full — not a blank template.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and editable Word doc. Use it for CQC inspections, clinical governance documentation, staff inductions, or insurance evidence. £29, no subscription, money-back guarantee within 24 hours if you are not delighted.
What it covers
Every physiotherapy clinic risk assessment is written in full — covering all clinical treatment risks, patient handling, equipment and premises hazards.
Manual handling of patients — transfers, mobilisation and assisted exercises
Patient falls during treatment and mobilisation
Slips, trips and falls on clinic premises
Infection prevention and control — hand hygiene, surface cleaning, laundry
Sharps safety (acupuncture, dry needling) — handling and disposal
Electrotherapy equipment safety — ultrasound, TENS, laser, shockwave therapy
COSHH — massage oils, ultrasound gel, cleaning chemicals
Fire safety — means of escape, fire extinguishers, emergency procedures
Lone working for domiciliary physiotherapists
Treatment couch and plinth safety — stability, height adjustment, hygiene
Patient confidentiality and data protection during consultations
Accessible facilities — wheelchair access, toilets, waiting areas
CQC Regulation 12 compliance (Safe Care and Treatment)
HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics alignment
Works for
From solo practitioners to multi-therapist clinics, Anyrisks covers every type of physiotherapy and musculoskeletal practice.
What customers say
"CQC inspection coming up and I needed a comprehensive risk assessment fast. Anyrisks covered everything — manual handling, infection control, electrotherapy equipment, the lot. Saved me days of work."
Dr Emma Lawson
Physiotherapy clinic owner, Bristol
"I run a sports therapy practice and needed a risk assessment for insurance purposes. Anyrisks produced exactly what I needed — specific to sports massage, injury assessment and rehabilitation. Professional and accepted first time."
James Patel
Sports therapist, Manchester
"I provide domiciliary physiotherapy and the lone working section was spot on — risk assessment covered home visits, patient handling in unfamiliar environments, and emergency procedures. Exactly what I needed for my insurance and clinical governance file."
Sarah Mitchell
Domiciliary physiotherapist, Edinburgh
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| CQC Regulation 12 compliance addressed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your clinic setup and treatment types | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers patient handling, infection control and equipment | ✓ | ✗ |
| HCPC and clinical governance standards aligned | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Does this meet CQC registration requirements?
Yes — CQC-registered physiotherapy clinics must demonstrate that risks to patients and staff are identified and controlled. Anyrisks produces a comprehensive risk assessment covering clinical treatment, premises safety, infection control and manual handling in line with CQC fundamental standards and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Does it cover manual handling of patients?
Yes — describe the types of patient handling your clinic performs (transfers, gait training, mobilisation support) and the assessment will include patient manual handling controls in line with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. This includes risk to both practitioners and patients.
Is it suitable for sports therapy clinics as well?
Yes — sports therapy and sports injury clinics have the same regulatory obligations as physiotherapy practices. Mention the specific treatments you provide (sports massage, rehabilitation exercises, injury assessment) and the assessment will be tailored accordingly.
Does it cover sharps and infection control?
Yes — if your clinic uses acupuncture needles, dry needling or other sharps, mention it and the assessment will include sharps handling, disposal procedures and infection prevention measures in line with Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
Can I use it for a home visit physiotherapy service?
Yes — describe that you provide domiciliary physiotherapy and the assessment will cover lone working, working in patients' homes, equipment transport and environmental hazards. Home visit physios face different risks to clinic-based practitioners and the assessment reflects this.
Does it cover COSHH for treatment products?
Yes — if you use massage oils, ultrasound gel, cleaning chemicals or other substances, mention them and COSHH assessments will be included covering safe use, storage and disposal in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
How quickly can I get it?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your physiotherapy clinic setup, treatment types and premises and Anyrisks generates a complete, CQC-compliant risk assessment instantly. Download as PDF and Word doc for £29.
Is it accepted by CQC inspectors?
Anyrisks produces fully written, regulation-referenced risk assessments in the professional format expected by CQC inspectors, clinical governance leads and health and safety auditors. The format is standard across the healthcare sector and demonstrates compliance with your duty of care.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Risk assessment generator