The Independent Health Care Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

PREMISES

Fitness of premises

25.—(1) Subject to regulation 7(3), the premises used as an establishment or agency must be in a location and of a physical design and layout, which are suitable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose.

(2) The registered person shall ensure that –

(a) the premises are of sound construction and kept in a good state of repair externally and internally;

(b) the size and layout of rooms are suitable for the purposes for which they are to be used and are suitably equipped and furnished;

(c) all parts of the establishment or agency are kept clean and meet appropriate standards of hygiene;

(d) all parts of the establishment or agency to which patients have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their safety; and

(e) if surgical procedures are undertaken, life support systems are used, and such electrical supply is provided during the interruption of public supply as is needed to safeguard the lives of the patients.

(3) The registered person shall provide for employees and medical practitioners with practising privileges –

(a) suitable facilities and accommodation, other than sleeping accommodation, including –

(i) facilities for the purpose of changing; and

(ii) storage facilities; and

(b) where the provision of such accommodation is needed by employees in connection with their work, sleeping accommodation.

(4) The registered person shall, after consultation with the Fire Authority –

(a) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision and maintenance of suitable fire equipment;

(b) provide adequate means of escape in the event of fire;

(c) make arrangements for persons employed in the establishment or for the purposes of the agency and medical practitioners to whom practising privileges have been granted to receive suitable training in fire prevention;

(d) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons employed in the establishment or for the purposes of the agency and, so far as practicable, patients and medical practitioners to whom practising privileges have been granted, are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire; and

(e) review fire precautions, the suitability of fire equipment and the procedure to be followed in case of fire at intervals not exceeding twelve months;

(f) carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and identify the significant findings of the risk assessment and the details of anyone who might be especially at risk.