Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026: final Island communities impact assessment
An Island communities impact assessment undertaken to consider and assess whether the impact of the Care Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 is significantly different to the impact on other communities.
Consultation and engagement
14. The Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 have been subject to consultation. An online survey was open to members of the public from 26 September 2025 to 17 October 2025, enabling people to provide feedback and views on every aspect of the legislation. Over 200 responses were received.
15. Many respondents supported allowing more than one Essential Care Supporter or a substitute, in case they nominated person was unavailable. This could be relevant in island communities where travel disruption to and from outlying areas could be a bigger concern than in urban areas.
16. Additionally, a series of in-person visits to care homes across the country took place, where Scottish Government officials met with care home residents, families and friends, providers and members of the workforce to discuss the legislation. The care homes themselves were primarily care homes for adults and older people, including a service for people with learning difficulties and sensory impairment. The homes are based in mainland urban and rural locations, with a mix of larger and smaller settings. The providers ranged from large corporate groups, a local authority home and the number of registered places per service varied between 6 and 60.
17. Many people told us about their experiences of restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how these had affected residents, families, and staff. People described the emotional, mental, and physical impacts of separation and isolation on health and wellbeing. Many people supported the concept of the Essential Care Supporter, that will be supported by the care home to provide vital wellbeing support and companionship to the resident, even in outbreak situations. Some people noted the benefits to wellbeing of being supported to continue to engage in their community and be active citizens and the positive use of technology to encourage links with the community and to communicate and update visitors.
18. Previous consultation was carried out on Anne’s Law from 24 September to 5 November 2021.
19. Concerns were raised by respondents around close family members, next-of-kin and power of attorney holders who may live further away from the care home, again raising the need for more than on Essential Care Supporter to be identified for residents in island areas. No other island specific concerns were raised in the 252 responses received.