‘Safe Drugs’ Policy for Carers

A REVOLUTIONARY new policy for carers on the safe handling of medicine has been developed on Teesside.

The initiative focuses on a risk assessment, to identify what support patients need, and providing appropriate staff training.

Several primary care trusts, including Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, have already implemented the policy, which has been developed by the Durham and Tees Valley regional medication policy group in collaboration with Cels, the organisation driving the healthcare economy in the North-east.

Demand for the safe handling of medicine is on the rise with research from the National Service Framework showing that many people over 75 are currently taking four or more different medicines.

Some 50% of older people do not take medicines as intended and more than 5% of hospital admissions for older people are caused by adverse effects of medicines.

The policy will also ensure carers administering medicine will not be held responsible for any adverse effects, providing a medicine has been given in accordance with a prescriber’s instructions and local policies have been followed.

Councils, care home groups and care agencies are being urged to support the initiative. Bob Elliott, who has been leading the working group, said: “It is imperative that staff are accountable within this area of their work and that they are competent enough to deliver a high level of care to service users.”

(c) 2008 Evening Gazette – Middlesbrough. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.