Articles

Can Live-In Carers Administer Medication?

29/04/2016

Whether a live in carer will administer medication is wholly dependent on circumstance, as service users require differing levels of support with medication depending on their mental and physical capacity.Some service users are responsible for taking their own medication and only require prompting, whereas others require the carer to directly administer their medicines.

When assisting with medication, a carer acts on the wishes of the service user or their representative (i.e family member). This means the process of taking medication is directly sanctioned, authorised and controlled by the client or their representative (i.e family member).

With the clients consent a carer can provide general support such as:

- Receiving prescription medication from the pharmacy / GP

- Requesting repeat prescriptions that have been approved by the GP

- Assisting with opening medication/blister packs/ original medication boxes - although compliance aids can be used

- Reminding and prompting the individual to take their medication

​The administration of medication is defined by the clients inability to consistently request and control their medicines. In this situation a carer, (with the consent of the client or their representative ie family member) can administer prescribed medication in accordance with and limited by the agreed care plan.However, you must have a letter from the GP for any carer who looks after the client to have authorisation to administer the medication.

Here a carer can:

- Prepare ,measure, apply and dispense medication with a MAR Chart that they should fill in at all times

- Help the service user to take their medication.

- Administer from original containers or packaging

- ONLY Administer invasive medication with specialist training

Regardless if a carer is assisting with or administering medication safe handling training is required.

With most fully managed live in care packages, the care company is responsible for ensuring that the carer is acceptably qualified to do so. For self employed private carers, the carer themselves should update their Medication awareness training frequently, otherwise know as CPD (Continuing Professional Development). This is to ensure that they continue to be able to practice safely, effectively, and legally, within their changing scope of Medication practice.

Live in care companies, who directly employ their carers are responsible for establishing whether the carer is compliant with their medication administration policy. This means the company and not the individual has liability.

However most introductory live in care companies do not directly employ their carers, this means self employed carers are not protected by company insurance and are legally responsible for errors and omission.

If a care plan stipulates that medication administration is necessary, a self employed live in carer should seek written consent from all of the below:

- A GP

- A family member

- The service user (if able to consent to)

A self employed live in carer should also obtain public liability insurance, this helps to insure and protect the carer against any errors and omissions

It should be noted that as a live in carer you can refuse to administer medication if you believe you have not received enough training or do not feel confident enough to do so, or believe that you do not have the appropriate consent to administer.

On a final note, no carer should disguise medication to give it to the client/service user this is known as “Covert Medicating”. Covert medication is the administration of any medical treatment in a disguised form. This usually involves disguising medication by administering it in food and drink. As a result, the person is unknowingly taking medication.  There could be legal ramifications if you do so.

Written by
Dani Scott

*This guidance is based on documents that were previously issued by CQC (now withdrawn). Where necessary they have been updated in line with changes to the Regulations and the latest available guidance. Providers should use this advice in conjunction with and ‘The Handling of Medicines in Social Care’ (RPSGB 2007) and the latest CQC guidance.