Assistance with Medical Care

ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAL CARE

This Policy defines the arrangements, procedures and precautions to be followed to assist a Service User to take prescribed medication:

1. Part of the permitted duties of the Care Worker will be to prompt/assist/administer the Service User in obtaining and taking prescribed medication, within the limits of the Care Worker’s training and experience. The nature of the assistance required will be clearly identified in the Service User’s Care Plan, which has the documented agreement of the Service User / advocate, and the Service User’s GP, as appropriate to requirements and contracting authority’s guidelines. The Care Worker will ONLY carry out duties within the limits of this specified remit.

2. The Service User’s GP is responsible for prescribing medication in the normal way. A medication risk assessment is carried out prior to care commencing and up dated when necessary. Medication requirements are documented in the Care Plan, and agreement will be reached with the GP as to how the medication may be obtained for the Service User. Wherever possible, prescriptions should be delivered from the surgery / health centre to the pharmacy and taken to the Service User by the pharmacy/D.N.

3. Forms of medication, to include injections, eye drops, ear drops, transdermal patches, catheter care, must NOT be undertaken by the Care Worker; these will require the services of a qualified nursing professional unless a clear written policy from the local authority permits. Care workers must have been deemed competent by a health professional (such as the District Nurse).

Policy no. 310, Updated: May 2008, Authorised: A Jones Page 1 of 3 4. The Care Worker may assist the Service User to take prescribed medication ONLY under the following circumstances:

4.1 When the Care Worker has been formally trained and has demonstrated the required competence.

4.2 When this has been previously agreed with the Service User / advocate / family representative.

4.3 When this has been previously agreed with the Service User’s GP.

4.4 When this has been previously agreed with Home Care Services Supervisor or Manager following appropriate Assessment of Need.

5. The Care Worker may offer the following assistance as needed:

5.1 Opening medicine containers, particularly where this may prove difficult for the Service User (child-proof closures, etc). Dispensing from a NOMAD/blister pack system.

5.2 Ensuring that medicines are within expiry date, are taken at the prescribed intervals, and in the correct dosages.

5.3 Noting any out-dated medicines and arranging for these to be returned to the chemist.

5.4 Ensuring that medication is kept in a safe place which is both known and accessible to the Service User.

Policy no. 310, Updated: May 2008, Authorised: A Jones Page 2 of 3 5.5 Noting the quantity of tablets in a container, and performing checks to ensure that the correct dosages have been taken. If it is suspected that too many tablets have been taken this must be reported immediately to the Home Care Services Supervisor or Manager and the Service User’s Notes annotated accordingly.

6. The Care Worker is required to record the following in the Service User’s’s Care Notes/MARS sheets/Medication Record:

6.1 Details of all prescribed medicines obtained (medicine, quantity, date) and the prescribing pharmacy.

6.2 All medication taken by the Service User as observed by the Care Worker. If the Service User should refuse to take medication, this must be entered into the Notes and reported to the Home Care Services Supervisor or Manager for referral to the Service User’s GP as may be required.

6.3 Details of any changes in medication, and observations on any consequent changes in the Service User’s behaviour, moods or physical / mental health.

Policy no. 310, Updated: May 2008, Authorised: A Jones Page 3 of 3