The ‘Care homes: supporting people, optimising medicines’ programme aims to update knowledge about working with care homes, the multi-disciplinary teams involved in looking after care home residents, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy team in helping residents living in care homes to get the most from their medicines.

The e-learning also considers legal issues, guidance and regulations surrounding medicines use and administration in care homes, and uses practice-based and interactive activities.

Improvements needed

There is a need to improve services and support for care home residents to ensure safe and effective use of medicines, to reduce waste, and to ensure the whole healthcare team works together for the benefit of residents.

In 2014, there were 426,000 elderly and disabled people living in residential care in the United Kingdom. Residents are living longer, with multiple health conditions and, as a result, are taking many medicines.

Vulnerable

“Care home residents are amongst the most vulnerable people in society. They have the potential to both benefit most and suffer most harm from medicines,” says the Care Home Use of Medicines Study (CHUMS) report.

Many healthcare professionals, including the pharmacy team, work in and with care homes to help in the care of residents. Pharmacy teams can provide valuable support through medicines reviews, advising on prescriptions and training care home staff on the safe use and monitoring of medicines.

• GPhC registrants can access the e-learning as usual, or to access it directly visit: cppe.ac.uk/programmes/l/suppcarehome-e-00

There is a need to improve services and support for care home residents