Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, CQC’s chief executive David Behan has written to care homes, hospitals and independent hospitals to ask that they review their fire safety checks and ensure they are up to date.
CQC are aware of commonplace fire safety issues within care homes, such as blocked fire exits, fire doors wedged open, escape routes used as storage areas, poor awareness among staff of what to do in emergency situations and no evidence of fire drills having been undertaken recently.
The letter reminds care home owners of their legal responsibilities, under both the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to pay attention to the safety of the vulnerable and frail because of mobility issues or learning disabilities.
In 2016, 120 accidental care home fires happened in London, resulting in the London Fire Brigade being called out.
