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Single Assessment Framework version

All services - change

GO Online: Inspection toolkit

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Medicines optimisation

Medicines remains one of the more common areas of unsafe practice amongst services rated inadequate or requiring improvement. Where good and outstanding rated practice exists, effective processes, training and support are key.

The following film provides a summary of this area of inspection. It can help you and your teams learn about what will be inspected and what is important to demonstrate to deliver good or outstanding care.

Introducing Medicines optimisation

Duration 01 min 57 sec

Whatever role your service has in regard to people’s medicines, it’s important that your processes and procedures are robust.

You’ll need to be clear about your staff roles and responsibilities around medicines … and ensure that people receive them as prescribed.

NICE guidelines will need to be followed and the CQC inspectors will want to assure themselves that your service is safely managing the ordering, transporting, storage, and disposal of medicines.

Your staff will be expected to be effectively trained and assessed as competent in how they administer and record medicines.

Regularly use opportunities such as one-to-ones to discuss medication issues and check understanding with staff.

Your staff will also need to be confident to discuss medicines with the people you support, and ensure this information and advice is clearly communicated.

Involve the people you support in how their medicines are managed. Try to encourage independence. Correct procedures will need to be followed, including when supporting people with limited capacity.

Your medication management may also need to involve external healthcare professionals.

The CQC inspectors will review data from your service prior to interviewing people, staff, and managers. Be prepared for the CQC inspector to accompany your staff and observe them administrating medication.

The inspectors may also ask to see a range of documents related to your medication management including:

  • medicine administration records
  • medicine review
  • medicine training
  • and medicine protocols.

Take a look at the recommendations, examples, and resources in our GO Online resource to help you to safely manage medicines.

Watch the film here:

CQC focus

Inspection

What is the CQC Quality Statement?

We make sure that medicines and treatments are safe and meet people’s needs, capacities and preferences by enabling them to be involved in planning, including when changes happen.

What sub-topics might the CQC look at when inspecting this?

  • IV medicines /fluids/medical gasses
  • Medicines management
  • Roles and responsibilities, delegation
  • Prescribing
  • Self-medication
  • Consent/decisions/covert administration (including MCA)
  • Controlled drugs
  • Storage and disposal
  • Antimicrobial stewardship
  • STOMP/STAMP

How does this part of the inspection relate to CQC Regulations and guidance?

How will the CQC gather evidence?

The CQC will primarily gather evidence by:

  • People's Experience
  • Feedback from staff and leaders
  • Processes
  • Observation (Care homes and supported living)

Read more about this Quality Statement

  • The CQC have published further insight into what this Quality Statement means, including the I Statements and which legislation it relates to on their website .