The Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB Care Home Pharmacy team has updated its Care Home Good Practice resources, providing essential guidance to support safe and effective medication management in care homes. When used alongside Skills for Care’s Medicines Management guidance and resources, these materials help promote medication safety and support best practices. Explore the updates to stay informed and ensure compliance!
For the latest documents, visit the HCPA Resource Library | Medication.
New and updated resources:
✅ Anticoagulants
✅ Preventing infection – Medication pots poster
✅ Controlled drugs
✅ Covert administration
✅ Emollients
✅ Fridge temperature record
✅ High-risk medications
✅ Homely remedies & self-care
✅ Medication allergies & sensitivities
✅ Medicines reconciliation & transfer of care
✅ Self-administration
✅ When required medications (PRN)
✅ Reducing medicine waste in care homes
✅ Vitamin D – Care homes position statement
✅ Reducing antipsychotic prescribing for dementia
✅ Skills for Care Medicines management training guidance & resources
Upcoming webinars
The Herts & West Essex ICB Care Home pharmacy team will be hosting several upcoming medication webinars. Be sure to register!
Administration of Medication Webinar for Care Homes: 7th April – 10:00-11:00
https://www.hcpa.info/courses/administration-of-medication
Medications at End of Life & Covert Medication Webinar for Care Homes
15th May – 10:00-11:00
https://www.hcpa.info/courses/medications-at-end-of-life-covert-medication-administration
Managing Behavioural & Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) Webinar for Care Homes
19th June – 10:00-11:00
https://www.hcpa.info/courses/managing-behavioural-psychological-symptoms-of-dementia-bpsd
Reminder: Non-safeguarding medication error reporting
In collaboration with HCC and ICB Pharmacy colleagues, the non-safeguarding medication error reporting form has recently been updated to capture more detailed information
The updated reporting form for non-safeguarding medication errors in Hertfordshire is designed to collect information on medication errors that do not pose safeguarding concerns. The data recorded here will be shared with Hertfordshire County Council for monitoring and quality assurance purposes. However, it is important to note that this form is strictly for documentation and monitoring; it should not be used to seek immediate support or assistance following a medication error.
Once the form is completed, users have the option to download a copy for their own records by selecting the three-dot menu on the acknowledgement page. This downloadable copy can serve as part of the provider’s audit trail and aid in future action planning and continuous improvement efforts related to medication management.
As previously, providers can access this form, and report via the Medication Zone in the HCPA Resource Library https://www.hcpa.info/members-zone/medication/, and the direct link to the form is https://forms.office.com/e/iWLJKy7JH2 . If providers have the previous link bookmarked, this will continue to work and will be redirected to this updated form.