Army of NHS experts brought in to care homes to tackle over-medication
Experts have been recruited by NHS England and NHS Improvement to help prevent care home residents being given too many medicines
Experts have been recruited by NHS England and NHS Improvement to help prevent care home residents being given too many medicines as part of a package of measures to improve older people’s health and care set out in The NHS Long Term Plan.
Care home residents are prescribed an average of seven medicines a day, with many taking 10 or more, costing the NHS an estimated £250 million each year, with charities voicing their concerns about the effect this is having on residents.
The NHS is putting in place medical and clinical experts, including 200 new clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, who will support care home residents to improve quality of life, cut hospital stays and reduce over-medication.
