All service users who are identified as level 3 or where Social Care Alba (SCA) collects medication on their behalf have moved to pharmacies closer to their home, thereby reducing travel time.  Fewer pharmacies have been used, thereby making building relationships with each pharmacy easier. Those service users on a weekly delivery have, where possible moved to a monthly collection, reducing the number of pick ups required and lessening the risk of medications being out of stock.

Jeanny has worked with service users, families, pharmacies and GPs to reduce unnecessary medications.  The goal is to have less medication, taken on fewer occasions.  Simplifying the medication regime allows people to maintain their independence by managing their own medication, reduces errors and side effects from taking medications which are no longer required.

All service users at level 3 have an accompanying MAR supplied by the dispensing pharmacy. MAR charts are photographed and added to SU files on PASS and are used to update the eMAR system.  This allows SU, families and SCA to monitor medication prescribed, delivered and taken.

As people move from one level to another Jeanny has requested MAR sheets for those now on medication level 3.  These are photographed monthly and uploaded to PASS. 

All SU at level 2 or 3 have access to eMAR.  This allows 24/7 real time monitoring of medication administration for S.U, families and care staff.

eMAR remains in place for those on level 2 or 3.

All staff including new applicants complete medication training online and by attending medication workshops. Employees undergo observed practise monthly for the first 3 months, then 2 monthly thereafter which includes medication management. All staff are required to read core company policies which includes medication administration. A medication app and training workshops are available on both the staff and SU/Family websites.

Medication management training has been delivered twice in the last quarter, and has been open to families.  Future dates will continue to be posted on the website.  Martin, who is the Service User advocate, attended the training to give his insights into medication administration, from someone receiving support.

We undertook a large-scale review of medication administration across all SU, which included wording of medication plans, audit of medication levels, training delivered, pharmacies used, compliance aids, safe storage and medication delivery or mAR supply issues.

As part of a review of all the assessments we use, everyone’s medication assessments were updated and reviewed in the past 4 weeks.

We created 2 dedicated websites, one for SU/Families the other for Staff. These sites have guidance on apps, training and resources related to medication management. In addition all SU or their families have access to Open PASS which includes medication monitoring through eMAR.

Stephen added to the website details about the differences between medication levels as this was a common question from those we support and their families.

See: Medication Levels: What Do They Mean?

We continue to schedule regular service reviews, staff observations, medication audits and reports.  These are summarised and presented to our Shared Management Team (SMM) every quarter for evaluation.  Any amendments to this plan are reflected online within 7 days of agreement.