Regulations for service providers and managers

Page last updated: 7 August 2024

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Regulation 15: Premises and equipment

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 15

The intention of this regulation is to make sure that the premises where care and treatment are delivered are clean, suitable for the intended purpose, maintained and where required, appropriately located, and that the equipment that is used to deliver care and treatment is clean, suitable for the intended purpose, maintained, stored securely and used properly. Providers retain legal responsibility under these regulations when they delegate responsibility through contracts or legal agreements to a third party, independent suppliers, professionals, supply chains or contractors. They must therefore make sure that they meet the regulation, as responsibility for any shortfall rests with the provider.

Where the person using the service owns the equipment needed to deliver their care and treatment, or the provider does not provide it, the provider should make every effort to make sure that it is clean, safe and suitable for use.

CQC cannot prosecute for a breach of this regulation or any of its parts, but we can take regulatory action. See the offences section for more detail.

CQC must refuse registration if providers cannot satisfy us that they can and will continue to comply with this regulation.

Note:
'Premises' and 'equipment' are defined in the regulations. The definitions make sure that the term 'premises' does not apply to the person's own accommodation where accommodation is not provided as part of their care and treatment. In addition, 'equipment' does not include equipment at the person's own accommodation, where it is not provided as part of their care or treatment.

The regulation in full

15.—

  1. All premises and equipment used by the service provider must be—
    1. clean,
    2. secure,
    3. suitable for the purpose for which they are being used,
    4. properly used
    5. properly maintained, and
    6. appropriately located for the purpose for which they are being used.
  2. The registered person must, in relation to such premises and equipment, maintain standards of hygiene appropriate for the purposes for which they are being used.
  3. For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), (c), (e) and (f), "equipment" does not include equipment at the service user's accommodation if—
    1. such accommodation is not provided as part of the service user's care or treatment, and
    2. such equipment is not supplied by the service provider.

Guidance

This sets out the guidance providers must have regard to against the relevant component of the regulation.

15(1) All premises and equipment used by the service provider must be—

15(1)(a) clean,

15(1)(b) secure,

15(1)(c) suitable for the purpose for which they are being used,

15(1)(d) properly used,

15(1)(e) properly maintained, and

15(1)(f) appropriately located for the purpose for which they are being used.

15(2) The registered person must, in relation to such premises and equipment, maintain standards of hygiene appropriate for the purposes for which they are being used.