August 21st 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Care home providers highlight gaps in community pharmacy services

CQC research has highlighted perceived gaps in the care home pharmaceutical service.

In a survey, care homes told the CQC that more collaborative working between healthcare professionals would improve working practices, particularly, if there is a clear understanding of the needs of adult social care providers.

Specifically, they called for better communication and access to healthcare professionals to reduce delays in medications and service delivery and to help in medicines reconciliation.  

They also highlighted that the biggest impact on service delivery and care quality was caused by a lack of support and advice on administering medications. To overcome gaps, some participants admitted they looked for alternative sources of support and advice, for example emergency services or 111.

Less than half the respondents (49 per cent) said that community pharmacy providers were fully meeting their needs.