§ Lord Ennalsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the terms of reference of the DHSS Inspectorate's inquiry into home help services include a detailed study of the changing role of home helps, and in particular the responsibility for medication of elderly and infirm people which often falls to home helps.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)The DHSS Social Services Inspectorate's study of home care services will include a consideration of different interpretations of the home care role. Home care staff are not responsible for the prescription and administration of medication, although they may assist clients when necessary by collecting prescriptions or by calling for medical or nursing advice.
§ Lord Ennalsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made representations to the BMA and the British Pharmaceutical Society about the packaging of drugs in the light of the fact that for an increasing number of physically and mentally infirm people living alone in the community the responsibility for medication often falls to manual staff such as home helps.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonNo representations have been made to these bodies. Doctors and pharmacists are required to comply with the Medicines Labelling Regulations, and guidance to them is contained in the British National Formulary. They have a professional duty to ensure that the labelling of all medicines takes into account the particular needs of individual patients including those who are physically and mentally infirm. Manual staff of local authorities are not responsible for prescribing and administering medication.