Last Updated on March 19, 2026

Government has published its review of CQC Regulation 9A: visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals and hospices. Health and care providers are required to make sure those in health and care settings can see their families and loved ones, but Government's review has revealed that many people continue to face barriers in visitation.

Regulation 9A was introduced as a new fundamental standard in the CQC regulations in April 2024, to ensure that health and care providers facilitate visits. The review was commissioned by Government one year on, to explore if it was achieving what it set out to. In the review, particular concerns were raised about blanket restrictions and family members being denied access to vulnerable patients, as well as residents and families being cut out of decisions around care or visitation.

In recognition of these issues, and as part of a push to deliver cultural change and compliance across all health and care settings, Government will distribute comprehensive guidance and resources to make visitation rights clear. To make sure people’s rights are being protected, Government will work closely with CQC to monitor compliance and intervene where necessary.

Resources that health and care settings will receive include:

• An explainer sheet or poster for people that details their visiting rights under Regulation 9A and routes to complain if they feel these are not being followed.
• Draft advice for care homes, hospitals and hospice providers to use to explain any necessary restrictions to residents, patients and family members.
• A public-facing decision-making process map which sets out important considerations for providers when making decisions about restrictions.

Government reports that these resources will be co-produced with people who have experience of the system so they reflect the real needs, and that it will work closely with CQC to make sure visiting is a core part of its reform and improvement programme. In addition, ministers are exploring bringing forward proposals for legislating visiting rights as part of wider reform work. According to Government, this would further strengthen the framework around visiting rights – embedding a culture of open visiting and reinforcing the right to be supported by loved ones in settings across health and social care.

Commenting on the publication of the review, Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said. 'No one should be separated from their loved ones unnecessarily. Contact with family and friends should not be seen as a luxury but a basic part of good care. This system must work for residents, patients and their loved ones and we are ensuring it does. These changes will protect patients and residents, give families a stronger voice and help make sure care is more compassionate, open and humane. Meaningful contact with loved ones is a fundamental aspect of high-quality, person-centred care and mitigates the impact of isolation of individuals in health and care settings.'

Helen Wildbore, Chief Executive Officer at Care Rights UK, said, 'We should all be able to have the support of our closest friends or family when we need them. We continually support older people who have access to their trusted loved ones restricted, limiting vital practical support they offer, and causing serious detriment to wellbeing and dignity.  

'We welcome the news that ministers are exploring legislative change to promote the importance of family and carers as equal partners in care. The legal right to a Care Supporter would ensure everyone has access to their trusted loved one when they most need support. This must be an urgent commitment and not just an idea that risks getting lost in wider care sector reform work. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure these vital protections are enshrined in law.'

Professor Vic Rayner OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the National Care Forum (NCF), said, 'Since the early months of the pandemic we have pushed for each and every care home resident to have access to what we called an "essential care giver". Since then, over 100 organisations representing millions of people, have come together to support Care Rights UK's campaign to introduce a legal right to a Care Supporter – a trusted loved one to provide support and advocacy in all health and care settings.

'As such we welcome Government’s commitment to explore the introduction of legislation to do just this, and we would encourage it to look at the proposed "Gloria’s Law". The people who know us best – our friends and family – are critical to ensuring the best care and support is provided. They know our likes and dislikes, can advocate on our behalf and, perhaps most importantly, continue to be an important part of our lives no matter what our health and care needs are. It is fundamental to the provision of good care and support, as well as an individual's human rights, that these relationships and connections are actively supported and maintained.'

To read Review of Regulation 9A: visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals and hospices in full, visit GOV.UK.

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