Disability Access, What The CQC Expects

When it comes to CQC compliance, accessibility is more than just a box to tick. Poor disability access can directly impact your rating, your reputation, and the safety of patients, service users, and visitors.

The Legal & Regulatory Framework

Healthcare and care providers must comply with:

The Equality Act 2010 – requiring reasonable adjustments to remove barriers for disabled people.

The Accessible Information Standard – ensuring information is provided in formats accessible to all patients and service users.
 

CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) – which specifically assess whether services are “responsive” and “caring,” including meeting the needs of people with disabilities.

What the CQC Looks For

During inspections, the CQC consider a number of different issues including physical access like ramps, wide doors, accessible toilets, lifts, and signage. Information access like large print, braille, easy-read formats, or translation where required. Staff awareness and whether employees are trained to support people with additional needs. Finally, ongoing improvements and evidence that accessibility is reviewed and updated.

Why Disability Access Assessments Are Essential

A Disability Access Risk Assessment identifies  things like barriers in your building or service. Any potential gaps in compliance with the Accessible Information Standard. They will suggest practical, cost-effective steps to improve accessibility in your workplace. Then they will require  evidence that you are proactively meeting CQC expectations

Ticking these boxes proves that you not only support compliance. But it also demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusivity, which is something the CQC increasingly highlights in a positive inspection report.

Stay Ahead of the CQC

Failing to address disability access can harm your inspection results and reputation. By contrast, going beyond the minimum standard can enhance your rating and build trust with patients, residents, and families.

The HSRA provides Disability Access Risk Assessments tailored to CQC requirements, giving you clear, actionable steps to stay compliant and confident.

Book a Disability Access Assessment with the HSRA today and stay ahead of your next CQC inspection.

FAQs – Disability Access & CQC Compliance

Why is disability access important for CQC compliance?
The CQC assesses whether services are safe, responsive, and caring. Poor disability access can negatively affect your rating, damage your reputation, and put service users at risk.

What laws cover disability access in healthcare and care settings?
Providers must comply with the Equality Act 2010, the Accessible Information Standard, and CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs), all of which require services to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

What does the CQC look for during inspections?
Inspectors assess physical access (ramps, lifts, toilets, signage), information access (large print, braille, easy-read, translations), staff awareness, and whether accessibility is regularly reviewed and improved.

What is a Disability Access Risk Assessment?
It is a professional review of your premises and services to identify barriers to accessibility, highlight gaps in compliance, and recommend practical, cost-effective improvements to meet CQC expectations.

Do I need to review disability access regularly?
Yes. The CQC expects evidence of ongoing improvements and regular reviews, not just one-off adjustments. Demonstrating continuous progress supports a stronger inspection outcome.

How does the Accessible Information Standard affect my service?
It requires that all patients and service users can access information in formats they understand, whether that’s braille, large print, easy-read, audio, or translated materials.

Can poor disability access affect my CQC rating?
Yes. If inspectors find barriers to access, it can lower your rating in the “responsive” and “caring” domains, impacting your overall compliance score.

How can the HSRA help?
HSRA provides Disability Access Risk Assessments tailored to CQC requirements. We highlight risks, provide clear solutions, and help you demonstrate compliance and commitment to inclusivity.