Essential Standards of Quality and Safety
The essential standards
The essential standards of quality and safety are central to our work in regulating health and adult social care. Each of the standards has an associated outcome that we expect all people who use services to experience as a result of the care they receive.
The standards relate to the 28 regulations contained in the legislation governing our work. When we check providers' compliance with the essential standards, we focus on one or more of the 16 that most directly relate to the quality and safety of care. Providers must have evidence that they meet these outcomes.
These 16 standards are outlined below.
Outcome 1: Respecting and involving people who use services
People should be treated with respect, involved in discussions about their care and treatment and able to influence how the service is run.
Outcome 2: Consent to care and treatment
Before people are given any examination, care, treatment or support, they should be asked if they agree to it.
Outcome 4: Care and welfare of people who use services
People should get safe and appropriate care that meets their needs and supports their rights.
Outcome 5: Meeting nutritional needs
Food and drink should meet people’s individual dietary needs.
Outcome 6: Cooperating with other providers
People should get safe and coordinated care when they move between different services.
Outcome 7: Safeguarding people who use services from abuse
People should be protected from abuse and staff should respect their human rights.
Outcome 8: Cleanliness and infection control
People should be cared for in a clean environment and protected from the risk of infection.
Outcome 9: Management of medicines
People should be given the medicines they need when they need them, and in a safe way.
Outcome 10: Safety and suitability of premises
People should be cared for in safe and accessible surroundings that support their health and welfare.
Outcome 11: Safety, availability and suitability of equipment
The essential standards of quality and safety are central to our work in regulating health and adult social care. Each of the standards has an associated outcome that we expect all people who use services to experience as a result of the care they receive.
The standards relate to the 28 regulations contained in the legislation governing our work. When we check providers' compliance with the essential standards, we focus on one or more of the 16 that most directly relate to the quality and safety of care. Providers must have evidence that they meet these outcomes.
These 16 standards are outlined below.
Outcome 1: Respecting and involving people who use services
People should be treated with respect, involved in discussions about their care and treatment and able to influence how the service is run.
Outcome 2: Consent to care and treatment
Before people are given any examination, care, treatment or support, they should be asked if they agree to it.
Outcome 4: Care and welfare of people who use services
People should get safe and appropriate care that meets their needs and supports their rights.
Outcome 5: Meeting nutritional needs
Food and drink should meet people’s individual dietary needs.
Outcome 6: Cooperating with other providers
People should get safe and coordinated care when they move between different services.
Outcome 7: Safeguarding people who use services from abuse
People should be protected from abuse and staff should respect their human rights.
Outcome 8: Cleanliness and infection control
People should be cared for in a clean environment and protected from the risk of infection.
Outcome 9: Management of medicines
People should be given the medicines they need when they need them, and in a safe way.
Outcome 10: Safety and suitability of premises
People should be cared for in safe and accessible surroundings that support their health and welfare.
Outcome 11: Safety, availability and suitability of equipment