Implementing Effective Medication Management for Children and Young People

As providers of care to children and young people, it is imperative to ensure that medication management processes are not only compliant with UK legal and regulatory standards but also embrace best practices for safe and effective care. This guidance document outlines the fundamental principles and procedures to achieve excellence in medication management, safeguarding the well-being of those in your care.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Your service must align with key legislative acts and regulations, including:

• The Medicines Act 1968
• The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
• The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973

Adherence to these laws is foundational to ensuring the safe and legal use of medicines within your care setting.

Reference Guidelines

To maintain best practices, familiarize your team with guidance from:

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
• British National Formulary (BNF)

Specifically, consult NICE guidelines such as NG 213, NG93, NG5, NG67, and SC1 for comprehensive advice on service delivery, medicines optimisation, and managing medicines in community care and care homes.

Principles of Medication Management

• Necessity and Risk Assessment: Medication should only be administered when absolutely necessary, with a careful evaluation of benefits versus risks. Engage in thorough discussions with the child or young person and their guardians to ensure informed decisions.
• Involvement and Empowerment: Encourage the active participation of children and young people in decisions about their medication. Adapt your approach to suit their age, understanding, and circumstances, promoting responsibility and adherence.
• Competence and Delegation: Ensure that any delegation of medication administration tasks is to individuals who are competently trained. The delegating professional retains overall responsibility, but the executor must verify their capability to perform the task safely.

Adapting the Audit Form

The Medication Management Audit Form serves as a tool to assess and refine your medication management practices. It can be customised to address specific aspects of your service, ensuring compliance and safeguarding against errors. Utilise it as a self-assessment tool or in collaboration with external professionals, such as community pharmacists.

Responding to Incidents

Should errors or concerns arise, it is critical to:

1. Immediately inform the child or young person’s parents or carers, their GP, or access the NHS 111 service.
2. Record the incident accurately in the individual’s health records.
3. Notify the Registered Children’s Homes Manager or on-call manager without delay.

Audit Outcomes and Continuous Improvement

Upon completing the audit:

• Take urgent action if children or young people are at significant risk.
• Address inconsistencies by escalating findings and implementing necessary actions, including policy development or additional training.
• Use the audit as evidence for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, particularly if no concerns are identified.

Conclusion

This guidance aims to support providers in establishing robust medication management protocols that prioritise safety, compliance, and the empowerment of children and young people in their care. Through diligent application of these principles and procedures, you can ensure that your service not only meets but exceeds the standards expected by regulatory bodies and the families you serve.