Urgent action needed on management of medicines in care homes - Burstow

12.00.00am GMT Tue 7th Feb 2006

Responding to the Commission for Social Care Inspection's report on managing medication in care homes, Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow said:

"This report paints a shocking picture of poor practice. The way in which medication is handled in care homes makes a huge difference to the quality of life of older people. Poor practice and incompetence in handling medication is putting the lives of older people at risk.

"With evidence of inappropriate and over medication in some care homes the fact that so many homes have failed to meet even minimum medication standards is appalling.

"It is not acceptable that over 5000 homes are not meeting standards. The fact that nursing homes, where older people are most dependent on good medication practise, have been singled out for criticism by the Commission demonstrates the urgent need for action."

Paul Burstow has published three reports on the the handling of medicines in care homes since 2001, the most recent published last month. You can download a copy of these documents from the "Reports by Paul Burstow" part of this website.

ENDS.