1.1 Identify current legislation, guidelines policies and protocols relevant to the administration of medication
The Medicines Acts 1968 and various amendments cover the legal management of medication. While care staff are not expected to have detailed knowledge of the legislation, they do need to be aware of the legal difference between types of drugs and the legal framework that allows them to handle medicines on behalf of the service user.
The following is a list of legislation that has a direct impact upon the handling of medication within a social care setting. * The Medicines Act 1968 * The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 * The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 SI 1973 No 798 as amended by Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 * The NHS Scotland Pharmaceutical Service (Regulations) 1995 * The Social Work Act 1968 as amended by The Regulation of Care Act 2001 * The Children Act 1989 * The Children’s Act 1995 * The Data Protection Act 1998 * The Care Standards Act 2000 * The Regulation of Care Act 2001 * The Health and Social Care Act 2001 * Adults with Incapacity Act 2000 9 © Social Care Association * The Health Act 200 * Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) * The Control of Substances Hazardous to health Regulations (1999-COSHH) * Hazardous Waste Regulations (2005) * Mental Capacity Act (2005) * The Access to health records Act (1990)
This list is not exhaustive, organisations and all staff should be enabled to access documentation pertinent to the administration of medication like the examples listed above.
The National Minimum Standards require the registered person puts in place policies and procedures for the receipt, recording, storage, administration and disposal of medicines. These policies and procedures are to protect not only the service users but also the