CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskWhat Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 requires and how to demonstrate compliance.
Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires that premises and equipment used to deliver regulated activities are clean, secure, suitable for purpose, properly used and maintained, and comply with relevant legislation. Non-compliance with Regulation 15 is a civil and potentially criminal offence for the registered provider.
'Suitable for purpose' means the premises can deliver the regulated activities it is registered for, to the residents it is registered for, safely and appropriately. If a care home accepts residents with complex physical needs but does not have adequate hoist facilities, wide corridors, or appropriate bathroom facilities, the premises may not be suitable for purpose for those residents -- regardless of the quality of care staff.
Compliance with Regulation 15 is demonstrated through: the systems and records described in this knowledge base (FRA, EICR, Legionella management, LOLER, asbestos register etc.), a documented maintenance programme, a process for logging and resolving defects, investment in the building fabric as evidenced by capital expenditure records, and a culture where staff report maintenance concerns without fear.
Where CQC finds that premises do not meet Regulation 15, the response depends on severity. Concerns about single defects may result in a requirement notice. Pervasive concerns about the overall condition of the premises can result in a warning notice, conditions on registration, or in serious cases, urgent cancellation of registration.
CareHomeDesk gives you compliance checklists, maintenance logs, and contractor management tools built around exactly this kind of knowledge.