Check the scope
Relevant regulated activities in care homes, hospitals and hospices. It is not a universal visiting rule for every registered service; the regulation defines activity and detention-related exclusions.
What the law requires
- Unless exceptional circumstances apply, facilitate visits for people receiving accommodation or overnight care in the specified settings. Do not discourage care-home residents from visiting outside the home.
- Enable a person attending a hospital or hospice without an overnight stay to be accompanied by family, a friend or another support person.
- Assess risks and use necessary, proportionate precautions. Respect consent and best interests, involve the appropriate people, and observe applicable legal restrictions. The duty does not require a visit against the person’s wishes.
What CQC expects
- CQC expects providers to start from the assumption that in-person contact is possible and use the least restrictive precautions. General convenience does not justify a blanket restriction.
- Exceptional restrictions need an individual explanation, regular review and removal when circumstances allow. People and those affected should know whom to contact about concerns.
Suggested checks for your review
- Check whether the setting and activity fall within 9A before applying a standard visiting checklist.
- Sample any restrictions: identify the specific risk, alternatives considered, decision-maker, person’s wishes and next review.
- Ask people whether arrangements actually enable contact, including visits out and accompaniment to appointments where covered.
Illustrative evidence
Choose evidence relevant to the actual service and risk. These examples are not a universal list of documents required by CQC.
- Accessible visiting information and an identified route for discussing difficulties.
- Individual risk decisions with review dates and the reasons for any restrictions.
- Records showing how staff supported a person’s preferred contact arrangements.
Potential gaps to check
- A service-wide policy restricts everyone without recording individual circumstances or considering less restrictive options.
- Family preferences are treated as decisive without establishing the person’s own wishes or lawful decision-making authority.
Sources and review
- cqc.org.uk — Regulation 9a (opens in a new tab)
- legislation.gov.uk — Uksi · 2014 · 2936 · regulation · 9a (opens in a new tab)
Content version: 1 November 2026. Next planned review 1 December 2026. Check current primary sources before relying on a requirement.
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Content version: . Named expert review remains pending for public launch.