GSL will assume that people have mental capacity to make their own decisions about and manage their medications until it is established that they do not. We will follow the Gloucestershire Multi Agency Mental Capacity Act policy and guidance where capacity is in doubt.
GSL carers should think about how they can support someone in order to maximise and promote their independence when manging and administering their own medicines. This includes how someone understands the medication they take, and what they take it for.
5.3
Carers may ‘prompt’ or ‘assist’ people with capacity to manage their own medications:
Prompting means that where necessary carers will remind people about their medication, for example to take it at a particular time or with food
Assisting means that carers will provide practical help with anything that people cannot physically manage for themselves. For example, carers might remove tablets from a blister pack; shake a medication bottle, remove the lid and measure a dose; move medications to and from secure storage; or provide other practical assistance
Support for people who lack capacity
5.4
Where agreed, carers will take full responsibility for medication for people assessed as lacking capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to manage their medication themselves. In these circumstances, carers will make sure that medications are given or used as prescribed, safely stored and disposed of and that prescriptions are renewed as required.
5.5
GSL carers must follow the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice when making assessments and decisions. This includes giving medicines covertly.- see paras 11.2 11.14
Individuals should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, in partnership with their health professionals and social care practitioners to enable them to receive integrated, person-centred support.
5.7
GSL “My Shared Lives Plan” and any other care planning documents for the people with care and support needs are person-centred and tailored to their unique needs and preferences to support their emotional, physical and social wellbeing; including medication support.
5.8
Some adults who draw on the support of our services may at times behave in a way that challenges those providing care and support to them. The council, GSL and GSL carers are committed to using Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) strategies when supporting people who access our services.
Reactive strategies when supporting a person who displays behaviours that challenge may include administering a PRN (‘as required’) medication in accordance with the person’s PRN protocol. This is medication specifically prescribed to the person by a medical professional to be used in circumstances when risks to the adult / other people are severe and cannot be managed in any other ways 5.10 Where PRN medication is used for support with managing of behaviour, consideration needs to be given to STOMP which aims to ensure that medication is used appropriately. We all need to follow the principles laid out in STOMP: STOMP stands for “stopping overmedication of people with a learning disability, autism or both”.
