Falls from windows often result in serious or fatal injuries, but this harm is avoidable.
The CQC want to ensure that providers are keeping people under their care safe. CQC have been alerted to an incident where a care home resident deliberately attempted to bypass a window restrictor on their first-floor bedroom window and, following a fall, sustained injuries that led to their death.
In 2022 they published a ‘learning from safety incidents’ issue on falls from windows. This publication has been updated on the CQC website to reflect a Health Building Note published by NHS England, which highlights that the British Standard for window restrictors does not factor in deliberate attempts to defeat the restrictor using impact forces. CQC expect providers and registered managers to be aware of and follow best practice guidance. Providers should also be proactive when carrying out person-centred risk assessment that is reflective of a person’s individual circumstances and needs, as set out in Regulation 9 and Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
To manage the risk of falls to residents, registered persons need to ensure the assessment of the risks:
• arising from the premises, and
• for individual residents. Where specific residents are at risk, you may need to take further action to prevent them falling from a height.
The full ‘learning from safety incident’ with relevant best practice guidance can be accessed here on the CQC website.