For some personal assistants paid through Direct Payments, part of their role will be to support you with your medication. This should only happen when medicine support is recorded in your Care and Support Plan.
We need to make sure that any personal assistant that supports you with your medication can:
- manage the risks that come with preparing and giving medicines, and
- make sure medicines are prepared and given in a safe, timely and legal way.
We have developed procedures that follow national guidance, principles and legislation. You and your personal assistant must follow the procedures if they are involved in supporting you with medication. This includes:
- assessing your medication,
- giving your medication,
- recording your medication,
- reviewing your medication,
- storing and disposing of your medicine.
You can request a copy of the procedure by calling Dewis Centre for Independent Living on 029 2240 5060.
You can also contact our Direct Payment Team in Adult Services:
Phone: 029 2087 3617
Email: [email protected]
Restrictions
There are certain types of medications or methods of giving medicine that personal assistants cannot support with. These are classed as health tasks and should be carried out or supervised by a health professional.
You should never ask a personal assistant to support you with giving medication if:
- it is outside of their duty, or
- they have not had the necessary training.
Some insurers do not cover medication support. You should check with your Employer's Liability insurance provider that you are appropriately covered for this.
Training
Your direct payment provides funding for your personal assistant to access up to 5 training days a year. We can provide the necessary training for them to safely support you with your medicines.
Once your personal assistant has completed the training, they will need to complete a competency check. This is to make sure they have understood the training and can carry out their tasks safely.
You can book a space for your personal assistant by emailing [email protected].
If your needs have changed
You will have been given enough funding for your personal assistant to carry out the tasks set out in your Care and Support Plan. If you ask them to complete tasks that are not in your plan, this may impact on their ability to do their agreed tasks.
If you ask your personal assistant to do something that is outside the duties of their role, you could both be at risk.
You should speak to your allocated social worker, or a member of the duty team if your care and support needs have changed.
