Last Updated on April 22, 2016
The Department of Health has issued new guidance on the administration of medicines in care homes by care assistants. The information is for care home providers, managers and staff about giving out prescribed medicines and the safety and quality requirements.
The guidance sets out good practice measures for the safe management and handling of medicines in care homes (with nursing) for older people by care assistants. The guidance includes:
- clear information for care home providers, managers and staff on the legal framework for the administration of prescribed medicines for a named individual by care assistants; and
- safety and quality assurance requirements.
Administration of medicines in care homes (with nursing) for older people by care assistants: Evidence-based guidance for care home providers has been produced by the University of Leeds at the request of the Department of Health.
The guidance says that it, ‘has been prepared to make clear that care workers such as care assistants are not prohibited from administering medicines to residents. It draws attention to existing guidance which sets out good practice measures for the safe management and handling of medicines in this sector. It does not prevail over that guidance and should be read together with it and the relevant legislation.’
The guidance includes a number of references including National Care Forum’s Safety of medicines in the care home: Final project report which is available here. There is also a link to the National Care Forum’s free online resources for supporting the safe use of medications in care facilities. The resources can be found here.
A PDF of the Department of Health guidance, Administration of medicines in care homes (with nursing) for older people by care assistants: Evidence-based guidance for care home providers is available on the Government’s website here.