Reducing harm in care

I11Reducing harm in care

1

Section 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (health and adult social care services: regulation of registered activities) is amended as follows.

2

For subsection (1) and the opening words of subsection (2) substitute—

1

The Secretary of State must by regulations impose requirements that the Secretary of State considers necessary to secure that services provided in the carrying on of regulated activities cause no avoidable harm to the persons for whom the services are provided.

2

The Secretary of State may by regulations impose any other requirements in relation to regulated activities that the Secretary of State thinks fit for the purposes of this Chapter, including in particular provision with a view to—

3

After subsection (5A) insert—

5B

In subsection (1)—

a

“cause” means cause or contribute to, whether directly or indirectly; and

b

harm is avoidable, in relation to a service, unless the person providing the service cannot reasonably avoid it (whether because it is an inherent part or risk of a regulated activity or for another reason).