The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking views from individuals, professionals and organisations on the effectiveness of Regulation 9A of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 on visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals and hospices in England since it came into force on 6 April 2024.
This call for evidence seeks information on how Regulation 9A has influenced visiting and accompanying practice and what the impact has been on individuals and providers. The review will cover adult social care and health settings.
About Regulation 9A
It is recognised that maintaining relationships with family and friends plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing for people living in care homes or attending hospitals or hospices.
Following consultation on proposals for visiting legislation, the DHSC introduced a new CQC fundamental standard under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
Providers who carry on relevant regulated activities will, unless there are exceptional circumstances, be required to facilitate visits for individuals who are receiving care or treatment in the course of the carrying on of those regulated activities in care homes, hospitals and hospices. In hospitals and hospices, this also includes enabling patients to be accompanied by another person to outpatient and diagnostic appointments or the emergency department.
Regulation 9A aims to make sure:
- people staying in a care home, hospital or hospice can receive visits from people they want to see
- people living in a care home are not discouraged from taking visits outside the home
- people attending appointments in a hospital or hospice, that do not require an overnight stay, can be accompanied by a family member, friend or advocate if they want someone with them
Review of Regulation 9A
Regulation 9A has been in force for over a year and the review will consider whether it has been effective in meeting its aims.
The call for evidence includes questions on:
- experiences of visiting and accompanying before Regulation 9A came into force
- the effectiveness of Regulation 9A
- raising concerns
- impacts of Regulation 9A on individuals and on providers in adult social care and all health settings
How to respond
You can respond by completing the online survey.
The survey closes on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
The DHSC confirms that its response to the call for evidence will be published in the final report on the review of Regulation 9A.
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