We are frequently asked on our RESTORE2 courses what the requirements are for care homes in managing medical equipment or devices. These typically include things like automated blood pressure machines and pulse oximeters. The resources below will help adult social care providers identify their responsibilities.
Equipment and premises forms one of the regulations covered by the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA 2008). This applies to all registered persons (providers and managers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations-enforcement/regulation-15-premises-equipment#
https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/gp-mythbusters/gp-mythbuster-34-maintenance-medical-equipment (although this relates to GP practices, the information is still relevant)
Equipment should be considered under CQC ‘Key Lines of Enquiry’, particularly (but not exclusively) under S2.6, S5, S6, E1.3 and R1.6
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK. It has produced two useful guides on medical devices:
The Health and Safety Executive has produced guidance on portable electrical equipment which should also be considered and includes Portable Equipment Testing (PAT).
