CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskWhat CQC looks at when registering a new care home, and the building standards that must be met.
To register a new care home with CQC, the provider must submit a detailed application including evidence that the premises meet regulatory requirements. For a new-build or conversion, this typically involves CQC reviewing building plans and specifications, visiting the premises before registration is granted, and in some cases requiring specific adaptations or enhancements before registration is confirmed.
CQC does not mandate specific minimum room sizes, but will assess whether the premises are 'suitable for purpose' for the residents to be cared for. The widely referenced National Minimum Space Standard from the Department of Health (2013) recommends: minimum 12 sqm per single bedroom, adequate communal space for social activities, minimum bathroom provision related to resident numbers.
Before registration, the fire authority may be consulted and must be satisfied that the premises comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A pre-registration fire inspection or formal consultation between CQC and the fire authority is common for new premises. An FRA must be in place before registration is granted.
Following registration, any significant change to the premises -- a change in the number of beds, a significant refurbishment, a change in the type of residents cared for -- may require notification to CQC and, in some cases, a variation of registration. Failure to notify CQC of significant changes is an offence.
CareHomeDesk gives you compliance checklists, maintenance logs, and contractor management tools built around exactly this kind of knowledge.