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Carer training, competency and general conditions which apply to medication administration in GSL arrangements

In this section

  1. 1
    Introduction
  2. 2
    About this policy
  3. 3
    Who this policy applies to
  4. 4
    Royal Pharmaceutical Society principles
  5. 5
    Person Centred Care and Mental Capacity
  6. 6
    Duty of care in GSL arrangements
  7. 7
    Carer training, competency and general conditions which apply to medication administration in GSL arrangements
  8. 8
    Medications that trained and competent carers may administer
  9. 9
    Ensuring that people have an adequate supply of medication
  10. 10
    Storing medication
  11. 11
    Administering medication
  12. 12
    Medication records
  13. 13
    Disposing of medication
  14. 14
    Continuity of care when someone is on a short visit away from home or moves between carers
  1. 15
    Side effects / adverse reactions
  2. 16
    Medication errors
  3. 17
    Monitoring medication support arrangements / quality assurance
  4. 18
    Concerns and complaints
  5. 19
    Emergency preparedness
  6. 20
    Implementation
  7. 21
    Review
  8. 22
    Policy Details
  9. 23
    Appendix 1 - Definitions
  10. 24
    Appendix 2 - What must be recorded on the MAR
  11. 25
    Appendix 3 - Staff guidance and procedures for over the counter products for general use
  12. 26
    Appendix 4 -As Required “PRN” Medication Guidance
  13. 27
    Appendix 5 - PRN Medication Administration Record (MAR) - In conjunction with PRN protocol Gloucestershire Shared Lives

Carer training and competency

7.1

Medication administration and procedures must always reflect current regulations and the most up to date training. All GSL carers administering medication must have undertaken appropriate medication training, which is renewed annually.  
7.2

In Gloucestershire, the GSL scheme:

  • will provide medication and other related training for carers
  • will assess and regularly re-assess carer medication competency 
  • may require carers to complete refresher / additional medication training 
7.3

GSL carers must alert GSL if they believe they need more support or additional training to safely manage medication.
7.4

In exceptional circumstances, GSL may consider requests for support with medications which a GSL carer would not usually be expected to administer.   

General conditions

7.5

Carers will not provide medication support unless: 

  • the carer has been trained and assessed as competent to provide the level of support which the person requires 
  • the person (or their legally appointed representative if the person lacks capacity) has agreed to medication support or has a best interest decision 
  • the carer has taken time to understand the medication needs, preferences and choices of the person they support
  • the carer has received appropriate handover information, and understands when a previous dose was given
  • the level of support required is specified in the person’s Medication Profile and Risk Assessment and included in the person’s My Shared Lives Plan and their Adult Social Care support plan or Care Act record 
  • the carer has been provided with all relevant information about the person’s health and medications 
  • the medication is in its original packaging as:  
    • dispensed and labelled by the prescriber. This includes dosette boxes filled and labelled by a pharmacist / dispensing doctor. Pharmacies routinely dispense medicines using original product packaging, to maintain patient safety and enable correct identification of medications being administered. If the dispensing pharmacist has assessed the patient as requiring a ‘monitored dosing system’, appropriate medications may be provided in such a device 
    • purchased if not a prescribed medication  

Carers are not permitted to transfer any medication from its original packaging except: 

    • with the prior knowledge and consent of GSL (consent will only be given in exceptional circumstances) and 
    • in accordance with the person’s Medication Profile and Risk Assessment requirements 
Last reviewed:
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