- Homecare Pharmacy Services will carry out an audit of pharmacy operations in
the home at least once as year as per the specification of the local PCT and provide written feedback to the home manager. Where this audit is completedindependently by the PCT, Homecare Pharmacy Services will liaise with the PCT to ensure the audits are appropriately planned and feedback is provided to the pharmacy supplier and the home.
- Ensure monthly medication is delivered on a specified day each month – to be agreed between Care Home and Pharmacy.
We provide the Discharge Medicines Service. The service has been established to help you understand your medicines and any changes when you leave hospital and to reduce incidences of avoidable harm caused by medicines.
- For residential homes will arrange the collection of all waste medication and leave appropriate documentation within the home.
- Homecare Pharmacy Services will provide the home with Controlled Drugsdenaturing kits as requested by the home.
- Q.I have service users who go out to a day centre or home to relatives. Do I have to send them with the whole tray?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Services can supply you with a handy pack so that the service user can take a day's worth of medication with them. - Q. What if a medication changes mid-month?
A. If there are any changes to a patients medication during the month there are various options to accommodate these please contact Homecare Pharmacy Services for further advice and information.. - Q. How will I get my prescriptions to Homecare Pharmacy Services?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Services utilises a variety of mechanisms such as fax, email, post and our logistics team to allow a flexible approach to the collection and delivery service of your prescriptions. In the near future we will be able to receive prescriptions electronically, directly from the surgery. - Q. The home I manage has a lot of complex needs. Could we use Biodose?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Services provides a totally personalised service as every home has different requirements. - Q. The Biodose system looks exactly what we need. How will we know how to use it?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Servicesprovides free training on the use of the Biodose monitored dosage system. This will be provided in house. - Q. I have decided that I want to change over to the Biodose system. What do I do now?
A. Contact Homecare Pharmacy Services on 07983 870230 and we will arrange a suitable time to come out and see you and assess your needs. We have a tried and tested procedure for helping homes with the changeover process. - Q. I like to receive my monthly medication into the home three days before our start date. Will Homecare Pharmacy Services deliver three days before?
A. That will not be a problem. Homecare PharmacyServices personalises the service to your needs and we also provide timetables so you know exactly when you need to submit your prescriptions and when to expect your delivery.
- Q. How do I dispose of the Biodose Pods?
A. For care Homes that offer personal care only
Please remove any pods containing medication for return to the pharmacy. The plastics are all fully recyclable; however the lids of the pods and the label carry confidential patient information and must be destroyed separately. You should do this in accordance with your standard confidential information disposal procedures. If you require further advice please contact us and we can support you with this. - A. For care Homes that offer Nursing care only
Please remove any pods containing medication for return via your clinical waste carrier. The plastics are all fully recyclable; however the lids of the pods and the label carry confidential patient information and must be destroyed separately. You should do this in accordance with your standard confidential information disposal procedures. If you require further advice please contact us and we can support you with this. - Q. I have all my policies written tailored to my medication needs using a different system to Biodose. Once I have changed over will my policies need to be updated to accommodate Biodose?
A. Yes you will need to update your policies. Homecare Pharmacy Services can assist you in achieving compliance with the CQC regulations. - Q. How are the photographs put onto the Biodose trays and MAR sheets?
A. The Biodose system has a number of ways in which the medication can be linked to the patient. One of the most visual being a photograph printed onto the end of every pack, MAR and PIC sheet. For this the photographs need to be available digitally for Homecare Pharmacy Services to input into the computer system.
The care home can take digital photographs of the patients. Then the files need to be transferred either on the camera or other portable storage device to the pharmacy to be inputted on the system.
We would suggest that a full printout of all the photographs is made with the patient names so that these can be checked and signed/agreed between the pharmacy and the care home.
Homecare Pharmacy Services can loan a digital camera on request.
- Development of a ‘traffic light system’ categorising medication into:
Based on cut off times of latest time to process and deliver prescriptions.
RED – Urgent delivery required within 2-4 working hours.
AMBER – Prompt delivery required in 4-6 working hours.
GREEN – Non-urgent medication generally delivered later same day or next day.
| RED | AMBER | GREEN |
|---|---|---|
| End of life drugs – CDs | Antibiotics Mid-month items |
Dressings etc |
It is important that you take the right dose of your prescribed medicines at the right time each day to get the most from your medicines to control your condition(s) as much as possible. This can sometimes be difficult if you take more than one medicine. One way in which this can be made easier is for your medicines to be supplied in a Monitored Dosage System, which provides you with a separate compartment for each dosage time of the day.
A monitored dosage system (MDS) is a medication storage device designed to simplify the administration of solid oral dose medication, especially for those on multiple medications. It aims to address the issues of difficulty accessing medication due to sight impairment or other disability and/or forgetfulness.
MDS devices are usually a variation on the design of a box or a blister pack, divided into days of the week with several compartments per day to allow for the different timing of doses such as breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime.
Our Pharmacist can help identify which patients this type of system would be suitable for.
MDS may be suitable for patients in the following circumstances:
- You struggle to organise medications and find it difficult to remember to take them at the correct time each day
- You have a large number of medications to take each day
- You find it difficult to remove medication from its packaging
- You have a carer who helps you to ensure you take your medicines correctly.
Ask a member of our pharmacy team about whether this service would benefit you or whether there is another course of action, which may be of more help.
- Support dealing with‘as directed’ prescribing on prescriptions.
- Monthly reordering process.
- Support Care home reorder procedure to ensure prescriptions are received byHomecare Pharmacy Services within a timeframe.
- Full review of Prescriptions received and liaise, where necessary, with the GP to ensure full compliance.
- Follow up any amendments or missing items with the home and the surgery.
When you are prescribed a new medicine by your doctor our pharmacists can offer support and advice to ensure you take the new medication as prescribed without suffering any unwanted side effects or explain any further questions you may have. We usually do this by keeping in contact with you during the first 4 weeks of your new medicine being prescribed.
The service is only available for people living in England, and only for those who have been prescribed a new medicine for the conditions listed:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine
The NMS can help:
- improve your adherence (taking your medicines correctly) which will generally lead to better health outcomes
- increase your engagement with your condition and medicines, supporting you to make decisions about your treatment and self-management
- reduce medicines wastage
- reduce hospital admissions due to adverse events from medicines
We offer bespoke services in order to cater to care and nursing environments, providing various dosage systems and MAR charts to suit home staff, making medication rounds that much easier.
We also provide various in-depth training modules as well as a regular contact who will visit homes at least quarterly to maintain excellent service.
- A designated mobile number which will be kept on 24 hours a day.
- Offer pharmaceutical advice and delivery.
Got a health question but not sure what the best course of action is?
Contact us and ask our Pharmacist who will be more than happy to offer trustworthy advice or point you in the right direction.
On regular medication?
We can work alongside your GP to order and deliver your medicines on a regular basis at a time and place which suits you.
The pharmacy receives your prescription from the surgery, assembles it and then delivers it to you at a convenient time and place.
- Trolleys coming in various sizes capable of storing up to 70 trays and additional items.
- Storage Cabinets, including cabinets in resident’s rooms.
- Fridges with thermometer settings.
- Supply free of charge handy cases for biodose pods when patients go out of the home.
- Safe handling of medication system training..
- Accredited Medication training to meet CQC standards.
The course provides learners with the opportunity to develop and explore the key skills acknowledged as a requirement by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) in handling medication safely. The course is based on the ‘skills for care’ medication knowledge set .
- Homecare Pharmacy Services will carry out an audit of pharmacy operations in
the home at least once as year as per the specification of the local PCT and provide written feedback to the home manager. Where this audit is completedindependently by the PCT, Homecare Pharmacy Services will liaise with the PCT to ensure the audits are appropriately planned and feedback is provided to the pharmacy supplier and the home.
- Ensure monthly medication is delivered on a specified day each month – to be agreed between Care Home and Pharmacy.
We provide the Discharge Medicines Service. The service has been established to help you understand your medicines and any changes when you leave hospital and to reduce incidences of avoidable harm caused by medicines.
- For residential homes will arrange the collection of all waste medication and leave appropriate documentation within the home.
- Homecare Pharmacy Services will provide the home with Controlled Drugsdenaturing kits as requested by the home.
- Q.I have service users who go out to a day centre or home to relatives. Do I have to send them with the whole tray?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Services can supply you with a handy pack so that the service user can take a day's worth of medication with them. - Q. What if a medication changes mid-month?
A. If there are any changes to a patients medication during the month there are various options to accommodate these please contact Homecare Pharmacy Services for further advice and information.. - Q. How will I get my prescriptions to Homecare Pharmacy Services?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Services utilises a variety of mechanisms such as fax, email, post and our logistics team to allow a flexible approach to the collection and delivery service of your prescriptions. In the near future we will be able to receive prescriptions electronically, directly from the surgery. - Q. The home I manage has a lot of complex needs. Could we use Biodose?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Services provides a totally personalised service as every home has different requirements. - Q. The Biodose system looks exactly what we need. How will we know how to use it?
A.Homecare Pharmacy Servicesprovides free training on the use of the Biodose monitored dosage system. This will be provided in house. - Q. I have decided that I want to change over to the Biodose system. What do I do now?
A. Contact Homecare Pharmacy Services on 07983 870230 and we will arrange a suitable time to come out and see you and assess your needs. We have a tried and tested procedure for helping homes with the changeover process. - Q. I like to receive my monthly medication into the home three days before our start date. Will Homecare Pharmacy Services deliver three days before?
A. That will not be a problem. Homecare PharmacyServices personalises the service to your needs and we also provide timetables so you know exactly when you need to submit your prescriptions and when to expect your delivery.
- Q. How do I dispose of the Biodose Pods?
A. For care Homes that offer personal care only
Please remove any pods containing medication for return to the pharmacy. The plastics are all fully recyclable; however the lids of the pods and the label carry confidential patient information and must be destroyed separately. You should do this in accordance with your standard confidential information disposal procedures. If you require further advice please contact us and we can support you with this. - A. For care Homes that offer Nursing care only
Please remove any pods containing medication for return via your clinical waste carrier. The plastics are all fully recyclable; however the lids of the pods and the label carry confidential patient information and must be destroyed separately. You should do this in accordance with your standard confidential information disposal procedures. If you require further advice please contact us and we can support you with this. - Q. I have all my policies written tailored to my medication needs using a different system to Biodose. Once I have changed over will my policies need to be updated to accommodate Biodose?
A. Yes you will need to update your policies. Homecare Pharmacy Services can assist you in achieving compliance with the CQC regulations. - Q. How are the photographs put onto the Biodose trays and MAR sheets?
A. The Biodose system has a number of ways in which the medication can be linked to the patient. One of the most visual being a photograph printed onto the end of every pack, MAR and PIC sheet. For this the photographs need to be available digitally for Homecare Pharmacy Services to input into the computer system.
The care home can take digital photographs of the patients. Then the files need to be transferred either on the camera or other portable storage device to the pharmacy to be inputted on the system.
We would suggest that a full printout of all the photographs is made with the patient names so that these can be checked and signed/agreed between the pharmacy and the care home.
Homecare Pharmacy Services can loan a digital camera on request.
- Development of a ‘traffic light system’ categorising medication into:
Based on cut off times of latest time to process and deliver prescriptions.
RED – Urgent delivery required within 2-4 working hours.
AMBER – Prompt delivery required in 4-6 working hours.
GREEN – Non-urgent medication generally delivered later same day or next day.
| RED | AMBER | GREEN |
|---|---|---|
| End of life drugs – CDs | Antibiotics Mid-month items |
Dressings etc |
It is important that you take the right dose of your prescribed medicines at the right time each day to get the most from your medicines to control your condition(s) as much as possible. This can sometimes be difficult if you take more than one medicine. One way in which this can be made easier is for your medicines to be supplied in a Monitored Dosage System, which provides you with a separate compartment for each dosage time of the day.
A monitored dosage system (MDS) is a medication storage device designed to simplify the administration of solid oral dose medication, especially for those on multiple medications. It aims to address the issues of difficulty accessing medication due to sight impairment or other disability and/or forgetfulness.
MDS devices are usually a variation on the design of a box or a blister pack, divided into days of the week with several compartments per day to allow for the different timing of doses such as breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime.
Our Pharmacist can help identify which patients this type of system would be suitable for.
MDS may be suitable for patients in the following circumstances:
- You struggle to organise medications and find it difficult to remember to take them at the correct time each day
- You have a large number of medications to take each day
- You find it difficult to remove medication from its packaging
- You have a carer who helps you to ensure you take your medicines correctly.
Ask a member of our pharmacy team about whether this service would benefit you or whether there is another course of action, which may be of more help.
- Support dealing with‘as directed’ prescribing on prescriptions.
- Monthly reordering process.
- Support Care home reorder procedure to ensure prescriptions are received byHomecare Pharmacy Services within a timeframe.
- Full review of Prescriptions received and liaise, where necessary, with the GP to ensure full compliance.
- Follow up any amendments or missing items with the home and the surgery.
When you are prescribed a new medicine by your doctor our pharmacists can offer support and advice to ensure you take the new medication as prescribed without suffering any unwanted side effects or explain any further questions you may have. We usually do this by keeping in contact with you during the first 4 weeks of your new medicine being prescribed.
The service is only available for people living in England, and only for those who have been prescribed a new medicine for the conditions listed:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine
The NMS can help:
- improve your adherence (taking your medicines correctly) which will generally lead to better health outcomes
- increase your engagement with your condition and medicines, supporting you to make decisions about your treatment and self-management
- reduce medicines wastage
- reduce hospital admissions due to adverse events from medicines
We offer bespoke services in order to cater to care and nursing environments, providing various dosage systems and MAR charts to suit home staff, making medication rounds that much easier.
We also provide various in-depth training modules as well as a regular contact who will visit homes at least quarterly to maintain excellent service.
- A designated mobile number which will be kept on 24 hours a day.
- Offer pharmaceutical advice and delivery.
Got a health question but not sure what the best course of action is?
Contact us and ask our Pharmacist who will be more than happy to offer trustworthy advice or point you in the right direction.
On regular medication?
We can work alongside your GP to order and deliver your medicines on a regular basis at a time and place which suits you.
The pharmacy receives your prescription from the surgery, assembles it and then delivers it to you at a convenient time and place.
- Trolleys coming in various sizes capable of storing up to 70 trays and additional items.
- Storage Cabinets, including cabinets in resident’s rooms.
- Fridges with thermometer settings.
- Supply free of charge handy cases for biodose pods when patients go out of the home.
- Safe handling of medication system training..
- Accredited Medication training to meet CQC standards.
The course provides learners with the opportunity to develop and explore the key skills acknowledged as a requirement by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) in handling medication safely. The course is based on the ‘skills for care’ medication knowledge set .
Knaresborough
North Yorkshire
HG5 8LF