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individual accommodation
National Minimum Standards
Department of Health - Care Homes for Older People
Individual accommodation: Adaptations and Equipment
STANDARD 22
22.1 The registered person demonstrates that an assessment of the premises and facilities has been made by suitably qualified persons, including a qualified occupational therapist, with specialist knowledge of the client groups catered for, and provides evidence that the recommended disability equipment has been secured or provided and environmental adaptations made to meet the needs of service users.
22.2 Service users have access to all parts of service users' communal and private space, through the provision of ramps and passenger lifts, where required to achieve this.
22.3 The home provides grab rails and other aids in corridors, bathrooms, toilets, communal rooms and where necessary in service users' own accommodation.
22.4 Aids, hoists and assisted toilets and baths are installed which are capable of meeting the assessed needs of service users.
22.5 Doorways into communal areas, service users' rooms, bathing and toilet facilities and other spaces to which wheelchair users have access, have a clear opening width of 800 mm.
22.6 Facilities, including communication aids (eg a loop system), and signs are provided to assist the needs of all service users, taking account of the needs, for example, of those with hearing impairment, visual impairment, dual sensory impairments, learning disabilities or dementia or other cognitive impairment, where necessary.
22.7 Storage areas are provided for aids and equipment, including wheelchairs.
22.8 Call systems with an accessible alarm facility are provided in every room.
Individual accommodation: Space Requirements
STANDARD 23
23.1 The home provides accommodation for each service user which meets minimum space as follows:
• Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence.
23.2 In all new build, extensions and first time registrations, all places are provided in single rooms with a minimum of 12 sq m usable floorspace (excluding ensuite facilities).
23.3 Single rooms in current use have at least 10 sq m usable floor space (excluding ensuite facilities) from 1 April 2007.
23.4 From 1 April 2007, existing single rooms which fall below the 10 sq m standard, but are no lower than 9.3 sq m, will be permitted if other compensatory quality standards are present as follows:
• additional communal space made available for private use, or ensuite facilities in the single rooms in question.
23.5 Single rooms accommodating wheelchair users have at least 12 sq m usable floor space (excluding ensuite facilities).
23.6 Room dimensions and layout options ensure that there is room on either side of the bed, to enable access for carers and any equipment needed.
23.7 Where rooms are shared, they are occupied by no more than two service users who have made a positive choice to share with each other.
23.8 When a shared place becomes vacant, the remaining service user has the opportunity to choose not to share, by moving into a different room if necessary.
23.9 Rooms which are currently shared have at least 16 sq m of usable floor space (excluding ensuite facilities).
23.10 In new build, extensions and all first time registrations, service users wishing to share accommodation are offered two single rooms for use, for example, as bedroom and sitting room.
23.11 From 1 April 2007, existing homes that do not already provide 80% of places in single rooms must do so.
Individual Accommodation: Furniture and Fittings
STANDARD 24
24.1 The home provides private accommodation for each service user which is furnished and equipped to assure comfort and privacy, and meets the assessed needs of the service user.
24.2 In the absence of service users' own provision, furnishings for individual rooms are provided to the minimum as follows:
• a clean comfortable bed, minimum 900mm wide, at a suitable, safe
height for the service user, and bedlinen
Ç curtains or blinds
Ç mirror
Ç overhead and bedside lighting
Ç comfortable seating for two people
Ç drawers and enclosed space for hanging clothes
Ç at least 2 accessible double electric sockets
Ç a table to sit at and a bed-side table
Ç wash-hand basin (unless ensuite wc and whb provided).
24.3 Adjustable beds are provided for service users receiving nursing care.
24.4 The service user's room is carpeted or equivalent.
24.5 Doors to service users' private accommodation are fitted with locks suited to service users' capabilities and accessible to staff in emergencies.
24.6 Service users are provided with keys unless their risk assessment suggests otherwise.
24.7 Each service user has lockable storage space for medication, money and valuables and is provided with the key which he or she can retain (unless the reason for not doing so is explained in the care plan).
24.8 Screening is provided in double rooms to ensure privacy for personal care.
Services: Heating and Lighting
STANDARD 25
25.1 The heating, lighting, water supply and ventilation of service users' accommodation meet the relevant environmental health and safety requirements and the needs of individual service users.
25.2 Rooms are individually and naturally ventilated with windows conforming to recognised standards.
25.3 In new build, extensions and all first time registrations the height of the window enables the service user to see out of it when seated or in bed.
25.4 Rooms are centrally heated and heating may be controlled in the service user's own room.
25.5 Pipework and radiators are guarded or have guaranteed low temperature surfaces.
25.6 Lighting in service users' accommodation meets recognised standards (lux 150), is domestic in character, and includes table-level lamp lighting.
For more detailed information about legislation and standards, you can visit the Department of Health website, www.doh.gov.uk
