Homely Remedies Policy

Homely Remedies Policy

With respect to the prescribing, supply, storage and administration of medicines, this home adheres fully to the Medicines Act 1968, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 and the Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidelines for the Administration of Medicines.

Guidelines for the Administration of Medicines

This home understands homely remedies to refer to a medicine that can be bought over the counter to treat minor symptoms for short periods only (e.g. headache, cough, indigestion). It is the policy of the home that a small supply of such remedies from a limited approved list may be kept as stock for use as required on a short term basis, provided that written permission is first obtained from a resident’s GP, or from a GP practice clearly stating which medicines are considered acceptable and for how long they can be given.

All homely remedies should be:

• stored in a locked medicine cupboard or medicine trolley
• administered by qualified staff or designated persons only in accordance with advice given on the information sheet included with each medicine
• entered in a stock record book and have a marked expiry date
• only given on a short term basis, no resident being given any one homely remedy for more than 48 hours or 2 consecutive days without seeking the advice of the resident’s GP.

In this home, remedies relate only to medicines from the following list:

•  Magnesium Trisilicate Mixture – For symptoms of indigestion
•  Paracetomol – For symptoms of mild pain or raised temperature
•  Simple Linctus – For symptoms of a cough
•  Lactulose – for symptoms of constipation
•  Senna – for symptoms of constipation
•  Fluid replacement sachets – for symptoms of diarrhoea
•  Aqueous cream – for symptoms of mild skin conditions
•  Calamine cream – for symptoms of mild skin conditions

It is the policy of the home to keep this list as small as possible and new medications should only be added by agreement with a GP and pharmacist. Where a resident or their relatives requests the use of a remedy not on the homely remedies list, the request should be referred to the resident’s GP.

Staff should be aware of the possible side-effects of all medications on the homely remedies list and watch out for such side-effects in any resident using homely remedies, whereupon medical advice should be sought immediately. Care home staff should also note whether a GP has excluded any resident from receiving any homely remedy.

Staff should refer to the attached appendix for specific instructions on dose frequency and quantities, contra indications and further information before administering a homely remedy to a resident.