Medicine administration by care assistants in care homes

Background

Older people in care homes are among the most vulnerable members of our society, reliant on care home staff for many of their everyday needs; including taking their prescribed medications.  Adopting appropriate medication procedures in care homes is crucial.  Yet the role of the care assistant in medicine administration in care homes for older people is poorly articulated. 

The proposed aims for this commissioned work (and in response to commissioner’s guidance) are:

1.    To identify and appraise literature on the administration of medicines in care homes (nursing) by care assistants focusing specifically on safety, training needs and processes

2.    To consider the context for the administration of medicines in care homes (nursing) by care assistants through relevant legislation and policy documents

3.    To develop a guidance leaflet for the care home sector on the administration of medicines in care homes (nursing) by care assistants

4.    To disseminate findings of the review and guidance in peer-reviewed publications and practice journals to engage providers with the findings

The starting point for this commissioned work is medicine administration by care assistants in care homes (nursing) for older people.  When developing and reporting on this work we will consider the relevance of the evidence for care homes without nursing and this will be reflected in developing the guidance. 

Impact

This work is important and timely and will support care home providers and managers to consider the role of the care assistant in the administration of medicines.  Ultimately, this work aims to support the care of older people residing in care homes who require assistance to take their prescribed medications.

The research team

Find out more about the research team involved in the Values Based Recruitment project by reading their profiles [link through to list of staff from project].

DH Disclaimer
This project web site presents independent research commissioned and funded by the Department of Health’s Care Sector Nursing Taskforce. The views expressed in these pages are those of the research team and not necessarily those of the Department of Health.