Regulating care services

Personal care can include:

  • washing, bathing or cleaning yourself,
  • getting dressed,  or
  • going to the toilet.

Personal care is a regulated activity. Agencies providing personal care are registered and monitored by the  Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC carry out inspections to ensure companies and providers are adhering to strict guidelines and procedures, in order to provide safe and good quality care. 

Administering medicines and prescriptions

While professional carers play an important role in many individuals lives, it’s key to recognise that the UK homecare standards allow paid carers to only administer medications that are prescribed by a doctor, not over-the-counter medicines.

Paid carers are not trained nurses. If this type of care is needed, an appropriately qualified professional would be recommended for you.

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