These Regulations make amendments to social security legislation that are consequential upon the introduction of a new regulatory system in Northern Ireland of “residential care homes”, “nursing homes” and “independent hospitals” by the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

This has replaced the previous system of regulation of residential care homes and nursing homes, as provided for by the Registered Homes (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. The new system also requires the registration of Health and Social Service Trust homes and small homes, which were previously unregulated.