Research suggests pharmacists make care homes safer

New research has suggested that basing pharmacies within care homes makes them safer for residents.

A six-year study led by the University of Leicester trialled onsite pharmacies in 49 care homes across the UK.

The research also suggested the measure enabled some GP’s workloads to be reduced.

The study named the Care Home Independent Pharmacist Prescriber Study (CHIPPS) was led by the university working alongside NHS Norfolk and Waveney, and found care home residents were routinely prescribed an average of eight or more medicines.

Medicine use is considered to be one of the main areas of risk in care home settings by both the government and regulatory organisations.

Researchers said one study suggested 70 per cent of care home residents experienced mistakes in drug prescriptions daily and there had been regular calls for interventions to help to improve the management of medicine.

The study involved 25 specially trained pharmacist independent prescribers who were integrated into homes.  The research found the presence of the pharmacists reduced harm and was well received by GPs, care home managers, care homes and residents.

David Wright, project leader, said “I am delighted the culmination of this six-year programme of work, undertaken by an incredible group of researchers, clinicians and patient representatives has produced this result.

“Furthermore, our pharmacist-led intervention was reported by some GPs to reduce their workload as they no longer had to routinely review and authorise large numbers of repeat medicines and the pharmacist prescribers assumed some of their care home responsibilities.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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