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Care Home residents are entitled to the ‘best & most appropriate’ care |
The Patients Association recently launched its Care Home Charter to improve medication practices for people living in care homes across the UK. Developed in collaboration with experts in health & social care and endorsed by NICE and the RCN among other organisations, the Charter aims to help support residents living in care homes to be actively involved in decisions about their care. It also provides a guideline for care home staff to follow in order to improve medication practices. It Charter was developed in collaboration with an expert panel consisting of nurses, pharmacists, care home managers and speech & language therapists, with additional input from representatives from national bodies including NHS England and the CQC. It has been piloted in 22 care homes across England, Wales & Northern Ireland. The Charter consists of a 9-point guideline for care home residents & their families, and is designed to promote & advance shared decision-making and improve patient safety. It emphases the importance of residents being involved in regular monitoring & review of medications, and states that medicines should only be given with a resident’s consent, unless they lack the capacity to provide it. In addition, the Charter also provides a 9-point guideline for care home staff to follow, stating that medicines should not be hidden by staff in food or drink, unless it is in a resident’s best interests and all legal requirements have been met. Other key points include that staff should ensure that an advance care home plan is in place for the resident, and that optimal oral and dental care is provided. Get involved: Do you work in or manage a care home and want to adopt the Care Home Charter? We can support you to do just that – email projects@patients-association.org.uk to express your interest. |
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Patients Association launches Care Home Charter Patients Association: Care Home Charter: resident’s & families version of the Charter Patients Association: Care home staff version of the Charter Read more about the Care Home Charter here Innovation Agency: Cheshire & Merseyside Care Home Academy Cost efficient, joined-up services Otherwise hospital ‘bed-blocking’ remains high Living longer is something we ‘dream’ of, but the reality may not be what we anticipated |