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Continuity of care

In this section

  1. 1
    Introduction
  2. 2
    Duty of Care
  3. 3
    Royal Pharmaceutical Society principles
  4. 4
    Responsibilites
  5. 5
    Training and competency
  6. 6
    Information required before staff may assist with medication
  7. 7
    People assessed as able to manage their own medication
  8. 8
    Prompting/assisting with/administering medication
  9. 9
    Side effects/adverse reactions to medications
  10. 10
    Medication administration errors and incidents
  11. 11
    Ordering/receiving medication supplies
  12. 12
    Storing medication safely
  1. 13
    Continuity of care
  2. 14
    Returning medication at the end of service/disposal of unwanted medication
  3. 15
    Controlled drugs
  4. 16
    Medication records and data protection
  5. 17
    Medication audits
  6. 18
    Emergency Planning
  7. 19
    Concerns and complaints
  8. 20
    Implementing, monitoring and reviewing policy
  9. 21
    Appendix 1
  10. 22
    Appendix 2
  11. 23
    Appendix 3 - legal context
  12. 24
    Policy Details

General requirements

13.1    We will work collaboratively with families, carers and other care settings where responsibility for care and treatment is shared or is transferred to other care settings. 

13.2    Where appropriate, we will assess potential risks to ensure that the person’s safety (or that of other people) is not compromised.

13.3    Staff will complete stock counts and update stock records as required by local procedures whenever medication leaves/is returned to the service.   For medications which are Schedule 2 controlled drugs, staff must update the controlled drugs register. See section 15 Controlled Drugs for controlled drug requirements.  

Offsite activities

13.4    Medication taken off-site so that it is available to people involved in activities away from the service must be transported in a secure bag attached to the responsible staff member.  Rescue medicines (for example Midazolam) must be readily accessible if needed in an emergency. The staff member must ensure that medication is taken when required and complete all relevant administration records on their return to the service. 

Visits to/returning home to families and carers

13.5    Staff must provide families/carers responsible for medicine management while the person is visiting them or returning to their care with:

  • the person’s medications in a pharmacy labelled container(s)
  • clear directions about the dose required and how and when the person should take it, including any special precautions like after food
  • the time of the last and next dose for each medication
  • information about any medication changes since family or carers were last responsible for medicine management
  • a contact number for medication enquiries including out of hours, for example the home, the person’s GP or the supplying pharmacy.  

When the person transfers to another care setting or is admitted to hospital

13.6    When someone moves from our service to a new care setting or is admitted to hospital, we will provide the receiving hospital/care setting with the person’s medications in a pharmacy labelled container(s) and all information required to continue to administer medication safely and as prescribed.

 

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