Service Background
Norfolk Medicines Support Service (NMSS) has been in operation since 2003. It is jointly funded between health and social care. The aim of the service is to put in place a pragmatic solution to assist a person to manage their medicines safely, effectively and as independently as possible.
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of the service is to assess and support patients 18 years or over who have been identified with a medicines management problem that cannot be resolved by the dispensing surgery/community pharmacy or any other healthcare professional under the requirements of the Equality Act (2010).
In-Scope
- Patients aged 18 years or over
- Patients registered to a GP practice in Norfolk
- Patient is having challenges to independently manage their medication
- Dispensing surgery/ community pharmacy have assessed the patient and unable to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act (2010).
Patient Assessment – Medication Support
The assessors are General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered Pharmacy Technicians or Pharmacist who will visit patients at home and assess the patient on all elements of their medicine’s management including, but not limited to:
- How their medicines are ordered and received
- Their understanding of the purpose of medicines prescribed
- Their understanding of the dose regime currently prescribed
- Storage of medicines
- Stockpiling of medicines
- The administration routine
- Adherence
- Reminders/assistance currently in place
- What level of care is currently in place, formal or otherwise?
- Any side effects being experienced.
Consideration is also given to the patient’s living situation, their capacity, dexterity, and demeanour or any other factor that may contribute to medicines management. During the assessment the assessor will work with the patient to identify the most appropriate medicine compliance aid that will aid medication compliance.
On completion of an assessment the assessor will liaise with the medication supplier, and GP to ensure that the medication compliance aid request can be facilitated.
Ongoing support will be delivered from the team with follow up calls at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.
Outcomes for patients
NMSS Assessors have a strong depth of expertise and knowledge and will place the relevant intervention, which is best for the patient in order that the individual can remain independent, compliant and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
Building relationships
NMSS works closely with several different multi-disciplinary teams including GPs, community pharmacy staff, other community teams, other healthcare professionals, relatives, carers and any other support network teams all with patients consent.
How to refer into the service
To refer into the service, please download and complete the following forms ensuring you have obtained patient consent, and then email them to agem.norfolkmedicineservices@nhs.net . All forms MUST be completed before emailing to Norfolk Medicines Support Service to save any delay in the referral process.
Alternatively, if you are a local pharmacy that needs to make a referral, the forms can also be accessed via PharmOutcomes and emailed to us at agem.norfolkmedicineservices@nhs.net
Form 1 (Referral to Pharmacy/Dispensary - Difficulty using/managing medications)
This form should be sent to the medication supplier by the patient, relative, carer or community healthcare professional or any other on completion.
This form should be completed by the pharmacy/dispensing surgery ONLY. It is only required when an ongoing referral to Norfolk Medicines Support is required. The initial referral form (Form 1) and independence assessment tool sheet should also be sent as part of the referral.
Form - Medication Independence Assessment Tool
This form should be completed by the pharmacy/ dispensing surgery.
Form - Registration for NMSS MAR chart
This form should be completed by the Care Provider and pharmacy / dispensary only.
Pharmacies can also access the forms via PharmOutcomes.
Staff learning and development
NMSS Clinical Framework details the purpose of the service and the knowledge, skills and attributes required for those working within the NMSS setting.
The purpose of the Framework is to provide a transparent and coordinated approach to ensure that all NMSS staff adhere to stipulated guidance relating to process and policies whilst undertaking administration or clinical duties on behalf of NMSS, including:
- Regular peer and clinical review to identify areas of strength and define areas for improvement
- Continued professional development and learning
- Full Information Governance compliance
- Open and transparent methods of communication to support reporting of incidents and safeguarding concerns
- Review of performance and the sharing of good practice.
Care worker training
NMSS deliver a virtual training pack to carers who work in domiciliary care supported living, reablement, housing with care, day services.
This course is aimed at care and support workers who will need to handle and administer medication as part of their role. Workers should be working in a home care setting. Initial Medication Training is suitable if you have never done NMSS training before or want a full days’ knowledge and content.
We offer
- Initial Medication (Home Care) Training
- Refresher Medication (Home Care) Training
For further information to discuss course availability and costs please call 01603 257006 / 257007 or send us an email.
Online training courses for Care & Support workers
Gain an understanding of how to handle and administer medication in a person’s own home.
Norfolk Medicines Support Service deliver a virtual training pack to carers who work in domiciliary care, supported living, reablement, housing with care and day services.
When is the course?
Please choose which date suits you, but hurry as places are limited - all courses are between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
All dates are 2022
- Thursday 6th January
- Thursday 3rd February
- Thursday 3rd March
- Thursday 7th April
- Wednesday 4th May
- Thursday 2nd June
- Thursday 7th July
- Thursday 4th August
- Thursday 1st September
- Thursday 6th October
- Thursday 3rd November
- Thursday 1st December
To book or discuss course availability please call 01603 257006/257007 or send us an email
Contact us
To find out more please contact us:
Email : agem.norfolkmedicineservices@nhs.net
Telephone: 01603 257006 / 257007
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00hrs
If you would like to find out about our Medicines Management and Optimisation service please click here
RELEVANT READING
Find out more about our Norfolk Medicines Support Service by accessing the resources below.
Delivering pharmacist-led specialist clinics for secondary care inpatients and outpatients
A large trust in the Midlands commissioned Arden & GEM’s clinical support service to provide specialist pharmacist resource to deliver diabetes and hypertension clinics at one of their hospital sites to help manage complex patients.
The Discharge Medicines Service: Improving patient care through cross-sector working
Arden & GEM’s Pharmacy Lead will be joining the NHS Medicines Optimisation Conference on 30 November 2022 to share the aims of the Discharge Medicines Service and successful approaches to implementation.
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In this article for PM Healthcare Journal, Arden & GEM's Medicines Optimisation team describe how their collaborative work with Black Country and West Birmingham ICS has uncovered the barriers to implementing a Discharge Medicines Service with positive impact for staff engagement and referrals.
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In this article for the Journal of Pharmacy Management, Arden & GEM's medicines optimisation team share their five-point approach to engaging with practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arden & GEM diabetes expert featured in new pharmacy resource
An Arden & GEM medicines optimisation pharmacy lead, specialising in diabetes care, has contributed a new chapter on management of Type 1 diabetes to the latest edition of the pharmacy textbook, ‘Drugs in Use’.
Recognition for Norfolk Medicines Support Service in the PrescQIPP Awards
Arden & GEM’s medicines optimisation service has been shortlisted in the patient safety category at the PrescQIPP Awards 2021 for their work to help patients better manage medication through the Norfolk Medicines Support Service.
Providing clinical pharmacy support to Derbyshire Dales PCN
Arden & GEM’s medicines optimisation team was commissioned by Derbyshire Dales PCN to provide a team of clinical pharmacists to deliver consistent and effective medication reviews for patients across their practices.
Medicines support service goes live for patients in Norfolk
On Monday 4 November, Arden & GEM’s clinical support team began delivering a medicines support service in Norfolk for patients needing additional support with medication compliance.