I’m working in a nursing home with 13 residents of which 10 are 2 carers requirement. What are the correct staffing levels please? Thank you

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear D,

Thank you for your question. Nursing homes are expected to have a registered nurse on duty at all times.

CQC offers the following advice relating to the regulation concerning staffing are as follows:

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 18 Staffing

The intention of this regulation is to make sure that providers deploy enough suitably qualified, competent and experienced staff to enable them to meet all other regulatory requirements described in this part of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. To meet the regulation, providers must provide sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced staff to meet the needs of the people using the service at all times and the other regulatory requirements set out in this part of the above regulations. Staff must receive the support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisals that are necessary for them to carry out their role and responsibilities. They should be supported to obtain further qualifications and provide evidence, where required, to the appropriate regulator to show that they meet the professional standards needed to continue to practise.

It is the responsibility of the Registered Manager to ensure that this regulation is complied with.

The Registered Manager will be expected to do their calculation of staff required based on the care needs of each resident. So there is likely to be a core staff on duty on each shift which may vary from shift to shift often depending on the time of day. When there is a patient or patients with extra needs then the home would need to provide additional hours of care.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes.

Sheila