Final guidance on visits and escorts to care homes, hospitals and hospices – Care Quality Commission (CQC) – Patient Safety Learning

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Following consultation, the Care Quality Commission has now published final guidance to help healthcare providers understand and meet the new core standards for visits and companionship in care homes, hospitals and hospices.

The guidance (Regulation 9A: Regarding visits to care homes, hospitals and hospices) also sets out what people who use health and social care services and their families, friends and advocates can expect.

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Rule 9A: The purpose of visiting a nursing home, hospital, or hospice is to ensure that:

• People staying in care homes, hospitals and hospices can receive visits from anyone they want to see.

• People living in care homes do not hesitate to have visits outside the home.

• People attending non-overnight hospital or hospice visits may also bring a family member, friend, or advocate with them if they wish to be accompanied.

• This regulation describes what health care providers must do to ensure that each person’s right to be visited and accompanied is respected after assessing each person’s needs and preferences.