Responsibilites

4.1    Registered managers/care managers have overall responsibility for medication safety within services and for delegation and accountability.  They must ensure: 

• compliance with all relevant requirements, for example with this and other relevant council policy, local procedures, MHRA safety alerts, the law, relevant guidance. Regulated services must meet the requirements of external regulators
  
  
• the service has written medication procedures. These must be reviewed regularly and include:
   
  • designated key holders for the service 
  • recording requirements 
  • controls and staff guidance developed in conjunction with a doctor or pharmacist for over the counter products if the service offers these for general use.  See Appendix 2 for minimum requirements
    
    
• that roles which involve assisting people with medication are identified and that the service has appropriate arrangements for medication training, competency assessment and alerting staff to changes to requirements
  
  
• the service has appropriate arrangements for assessing medication related risks and developing plans for people using services and keeping these under review
  
  
• that medication stocks, practices and records are regularly audited

4.2    Line managers/shift leaders must ensure that:

• people using the service:
   
  • have a medication risk assessment which is updated as required
    
    
  • have a plan which confirms the exact nature of medication support (if any) the person requires from staff. The plan must be kept under review
    
    
  • have provided their written consent to any necessary support with medication. Where relevant, consent may be provided by a representative or agreed through a best interest decision

• care or support staff:

• • understand their role and responsibilities and what records they must keep
    
    
  • complete all medication training required by the council and undergo regular assessment of medication competency
    
    
  • receive appropriate information, instructions and support for their role
    
    
  • consult and follow the requirements of the medication administration record (MAR), plans and other relevant medication instructions

4.3    Care or support staff must:

• administer medication safely and as required by this policy and local procedures 
  
  
• consult and follow the instructions in the person’s plan and MAR
  
  
• check for and follow amended instructions. These must be recorded in the communications/ message book or in handover records
  
  
• follow the prescriber’s instructions and seek advice from the prescriber or a pharmacist as required
  
  
• alert a line manager/health professional as appropriate where there are concerns about the person’s health or safety. Staff are not permitted to make clinical judgements and must seek advice from an appropriate health professional as needed
  
  
• keep accurate, complete and up to date records of all medication related activities
  
  
• alert their line manager if they believe they need more support or additional training in order to safely manage medication