Apply for this licence
To run a nursing home, you need to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Your application must be made using the right form. You must comply with any conditions that CQC imposes.
CQC will register your nursing home according to the requirements set out in the relevant legislation.
Conditions
You may only carry on or manage a nursing home if you are fit to do so. You must:
- be of good character
- be physically and mentally fit
- have satisfactory information available
- have the necessary qualifications, skills and experience
You must make sure that your service protects the health, safety and welfare of users, and that you regularly review the quality of your services.
You must take such training as is appropriate to ensure that you have the necessary experience and skills.
You must ensure that each service user receives safe and appropriate care, by means of:
- assessing the needs of the user
- planning and delivering care and treatment so as to meet individual needs, ensure the welfare and safety of the user, follow any published best practice guidance and avoid unlawful discrimination
You must have procedures in place for dealing with emergencies which would affect the provision of services, in order to reduce any associated risks to service users.
You must protect service users against the risks of inappropriate or unsafe care, by operating systems which enable you to:
- regularly assess and monitor the quality of the services provided against the requirements
- identify, assess and manage risks
- where necessary, make changes to the care provided
- ensure that decisions are taken at the appropriate level, and the appropriate people are held accountable
You must ensure that service users are safeguarded against abuse, and you must ensure that any form of control or restraint used is neither unlawful nor otherwise excessive.
You must ensure that both service users and employees are protected against identifiable risks of infections, by means of risk assessment, treatment, and appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene for premises and equipment.
You must make appropriate arrangements for the obtaining, recording, handling, storing, dispensing, administering and disposal of medicines.
You must ensure that service users are provided with, and enabled to consume, a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink, in sufficient quantities to meet their needs, taking into account the user’s religious or cultural background.
You must ensure that your premises are of suitable design and layout, and are secure and adequately maintained.
You must ensure that equipment is properly maintained, suitable for purpose and used correctly. Equipment must be available in sufficient quantities to meet user’s needs and promote the independence and comfort of service users.
You must ensure that the dignity, privacy and independence of service users is promoted, and that they are sufficiently informed and enabled to participate in decisions relating to their care or treatment, where possible, and that you have arrangements in place for obtaining their consent to treatment or care.
You must implement an effective complaints system for identifying, receiving, handling and responding to complaints, under which every complaint is fully investigated.
You must keep accurate records on each service user.
You must only employee people who:
- are of good character
- have the necessary qualifications