Summary
Maintaining meaningful contact with family and friends is essential for the health and wellbeing of people in care settings.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) introduced Regulation 9A, a new Care Quality Commission (CQC) fundamental standard on visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals, and hospices. This regulation came into force in April 2024 and aims to ensure that:
- people in care homes, hospitals or hospices can receive visits from people they want to see
- care home residents are not discouraged from taking visits out of the home
- people attending outpatient appointment can be accompanied by a family member, friend or supporter if they would like to be.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has conducted a post-implementation review to assess the effectiveness of the regulation, gathering evidence from individuals, professionals, organisations and advocacy groups. The call for evidence provided vital information which has informed the overall review outcome.
Content
The review found strong consensus that visiting and accompanying are vital for wellbeing, trust and recovery, and that restrictions can cause distress and harm. While Regulation 9A has helped to clarify expectations, reinforce good practice and provided legislative protection for visiting and accompanying, the review found mixed views on its effectiveness in practice.
DHSC has identified 6 important areas for development:
- data
- awareness and understanding
- decision making processes
- communication of restrictions by providers
- distinction between ‘visitor’ and ‘care supporter’
- monitoring and enforcement.
The outcome report sets out the findings of the review and the work DHSC will take forward to address these gaps. This work aims to ensure Regulation 9A is more effective and support a change in culture and practice to embed Regulation 9A in health and care settings. This is vital to ensuring that the rights of people in health and care settings to see their loved ones are upheld consistently and transparently, supporting person-centred care and meaningful connections.
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment