Care Quality Commission Registration

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a taxpayer-funded body responsible for regulating health and adult social care services (provided either by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations) in England.

All Establishments where Healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor, nurse etc.) treat 'disease disorder or injury' or perform surgery using lasers must register with the CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

The 2010 'Essential Standards for Quality and Safety' sets out what the CQC would expect providers to do in order to comply with the new regulations.

Some points relating to laser/IPL risk management include:

The identification, assessment and review of risk
The need for effective risk management
Competency and skills needed to ensure laser safety
Implementation of guidance issued by laser safety experts
Taking published guidance into account.

The last point emphasises the value of appointing a competent laser safety adviser (or 'laser protection adviser', LPA) and provding suitable laser safety training for all staff involved with lasers and intense light sources.

Lasersafe Home Page