Two levels of support: prompting and administration
We treat prompting and administration as two separate levels. They suit different needs and carry different duties. We agree which one is right at the care assessment and write it into the care plan.
Prompting and reminding
Prompting suits someone who can take their own medicines but needs a reminder. Some people want a check that they took the right thing at the right time. The person stays in charge of their own medicines. The carer:
- Reminds the person it’s time to take their medicine
- Checks they’ve taken what they intended to
- Encourages and reassures, without taking over
- Notes that the prompt was given
It keeps a person independent for as long as possible.
Administration
Administration suits someone who can’t safely manage their medicines alone. Here, a trained carer takes on the job of giving them. The carer:
- Gives the correct medicine, in the correct dose, at the correct time, as prescribed
- Follows the pharmacy labelling and the care plan
- Records every dose on a medication administration record (MAR) at the time
- Reports any concern, refusal, side effect or error promptly, and follows it up with the GP or pharmacist
No carer gives medicines until they are trained to do so.
How we keep medication safe
- Accurate records every visit. Doses are recorded on a MAR as they’re given. Through the Birdie system, agreed family members can see these records as part of our family updates.
- We follow the prescription. Carers don’t change doses or make clinical decisions. Any question about what’s prescribed goes back to the GP or pharmacist.
- Changes are handled properly. When a prescription changes, we update the care plan and the records so everyone works from current information.
- Controlled and higher-risk medicines are handled in line with our medication policy and national guidance.
We follow NICE guidance on medicines for adults who get care at home (NG67). Our CQC-regulated care page explains how we are checked.
Where medication support fits with other care
Medication support usually sits alongside personal care. For someone living with dementia, it is often a big part of staying safe at home. Our dementia care page covers that.
Medicines given through a PEG tube or by injection need more clinical training. Those tasks sit within our complex care service.
Some questions are for the GP or pharmacist. Is this the right medicine? Is it working? Is that a side effect? We’ll point you to the right person to ask.
Costs and funding
Medication support is usually part of a care visit. So our standard rates apply. Our costs and funding hub explains the prices and the funding routes, including local authority support and NHS Continuing Healthcare.
What happens next
- Tell us what’s going wrong. Call 01636 646915 or request a care assessment, and tell us which medicines are involved.
- We agree the level of support. We look at the medicines, the routine and the risks, and write prompting or administration into the care plan.
- Care starts and is reviewed. Doses are recorded every visit, and we change the plan when a prescription or need changes.
We provide medication support in Newark, Grantham, Bingham, Retford, Ollerton, Southwell, Collingham and North Hykeham, and the surrounding villages.
