Medicines management: inadequate

S3. How does the service make sure that there are sufficient numbers of suitable staff to support people to stay safe and meet their needs?

Characteristics of services we would rate as inadequate in this area

Where the service is responsible for medicines, people are at risk because staff do not administer medicines safely or people do not receive them as prescribed.

The service is not clear about its responsibilities and role in relation to medicines.

The service does not follow relevant national guidelines in relation to non-prescribed medicines that it manages for people.

The service does not look for opportunities to promote people’s independence in managing medicines. Staff may actively or passively discourage people from looking after their own medicines, when they are capable of doing so.

The service does not follow correct procedures when people lack capacity to make decisions about taking medicines and when they may need to be administered without their knowledge or consent.