Registration & inspection of care homes

Care Quality Commission ensures good standard of care

The Care Quality Commission was established by the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to regulate the quality of health and social care and look after the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

All care homes must be registered with the Care Quality Commission and can only provide the type of care for which they are registered. To be registered, homes must show that they meet the National Minimum Standards identified by the Care Standards Act 2000. Homes must have their Certificate of Registration on display in the home – look for this when you visit.

All registered homes are inspected regularly by the Care Quality Commission to ensure that they continue to provide a good standard of care. These inspections look at every aspect of service provision, including the way the home is managed, the quality of staff and the training they are given, the activities and routines offered to residents, and the facilities that the home provides. After each inspection a report is produced – you can get copies of these reports from the Care Quality Commission.

How to contact the Care Quality Commission

Berkshire is covered by the South-East Regional office: London Head Office

Finsbury Tower

103-105 Bunhill Row

London EC1Y 8TG

03000 616161 e-mail: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

For more information about the Care Quality Commission and the National Minimum Standards go to the Care Quality Commission website www.cqc.org.uk

Your rights in a care home

When you move into a care home you have the right to live as normal a life as possible, as if you were still living in your own home. You are entitled to keep your full rights as a citizen and you have the right to:

• choose how you wish to lead your life and to receive suitable help to do so, regardless of disability or age

• be as independent as you want to be and to decide for yourself what you want to do

• go where you want as long as it is safe to do so

• be treated with dignity and respect at all times

• privacy and your own private space

• expect that the routines of the home, such as meal times, will suit your needs

• be fully involved in all decisions that affect you, either personally or to do with the home (your relatives or representatives should also be included)

• expect the home to help to keep you fit, alert and maintain as much independence as possible

• keep in touch regularly with family and friends and to be involved in activities taking place outside the home

• be treated with care and sensitivity.