October 2012
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Study calls for medication to be reviewed By Dominic Musgrave REGULAR clinical reviews of psychotropic medication should be established in all Scottish care homes after a study found almost half of residents may be kept on sedatives that make them “easier and more convenient to manage”. The research by the University of Dundee and NHS Fife found two in five care home residents were taking the drugs – compared with one in six who live in their own homes. The report, carried out over a twoyear period in Tayside, also found that seven in 10 people who were taking the drugs when they went into care homes were then never reassessed to see if they still needed them. Dr Colin McCowan, deputy director of the Health Informatics Centre at Dundee University, and one of the authors of the report, said systematic reviews should be carried out on all residents in the country’s 911 care homes who are taking the drugs, to ensure there are medical grounds for using them. He added: “This study presents a complex picture of the prescribing and use of these medicines. Psychotropic drug use is significantly higher in care home residents but they would seem to be initiated
primarily before people are admitted. This may be evidence against the belief that initiation is largely driven by care home staff to make residents easier or more convenient to manage. “There may be valid reasons for the initiation of these drugs, but prolonged use of psychotropic medication in older people is not recommended and may cause harm. “The key issue our study suggests is that there should be systematic medication reviews for patients on these drugs, to highlight drugs that may be discontinued if the reasons for their initial prescription are no longer valid.” The study follows a recent UK Parliamentary report which expressed concern that the ‘inappropriate use’ of antipsychotics and antidepressants in care homes was a ‘means of controlling patients’. Stella Clark, of NHS Fife, said: “We have recently seen data for the whole of England which showed a reduction in the prescription of antipsychotics to people with dementia. “This is a really important area of prescribing where changes can be made which will improve patient safety and there is a clear need for national guidance to be developed.”
Provider unveils training scheme
Campaigner Amanda Waring is the keynote speaker at a care sector conference organised and hosted by Leeds law firm Lee & Priestley LLP. The Yorkshire care conference is taking place at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on September 28. The speakers include a compliance manager for the CQC and a sector media expert examining the way the press can tarnish a home or provider’s reputation.
AVERY Healthcare has launched InterACTION – an innovative training programme for recreation and leisure organisers across the business. The 10 module programme covers: The role of the recreation and leisure organiser; The ageing process and the benefits of an active lifestyle; Documentation; community links; Designing innovative programmes; Reminiscence; Digital inclusion; Group work; Themes and Activities. Lindsay Kelly, group recreation and leisure organiser at Avery said, “Alongside writing and compiling the new programme, a career pathway has been devised that includes external training in specific areas as required to support features of the programmes. “This allows organisers to offer flexibility to the more independent residents and additional support to those less able or those living with dementia.”