NHS: Hospital Medication
Debate between Baroness Jolly and Baroness Gale
Baroness Gale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what procedures will be put in place to ensure that every patient newly admitted to hospital will have their medication regime reconciled within 24 hours of admission.
Baroness Jolly (LD)
My Lords, timely medicine reconciliation on admission to hospital can help to prevent medication errors, such as omitted and delayed medicines, wrong dose or wrong formulation. NHS trusts in England should have their own policies and procedures in place for the safe and effective use of medicines, taking into account joint guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the National Patient Safety Agency, which is now subsumed into NHS England.
Baroness Gale (Lab)
I thank the Minister for her reply. In doing so, I declare an interest as I chair the APPG on Parkinson’s. Is she aware that people with Parkinson’s can take up to 30 tablets a day and that it is of vital importance that they have their medication on time every time? Does she agree that patients with Parkinson’s who are admitted to hospital should have the right to self-administration of their own medicine? That would put them in control and help to control their symptoms, and would certainly help staff. Will she take advice from Parkinson’s UK, which has great experience in this field, on how to train nurses to understand this task?
Baroness Jolly
The noble Baroness speaks from a position of much expertise as the chair of the APPG on Parkinson’s. It is really important that people with Parkinson’s disease get the medicines that they need when they need them, whether they are being cared for in their home, in a care home or in hospital. The NHS is working to improve services for people with Parkinson’s disease. This includes ensuring that staff are properly trained to support people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.