Decision details

Procurement of Medication Administration Record Service

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

The report will seek authority to commission a Medication Administration Record Service.

 

Community pharmacists in Sheffield will supply Medication Administration Records, known as MAR charts, for individuals in receipt of a home care service who require a care worker to directly administer their medication.

Decision:

That the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care:-

 

(i) approves the development and agreement of a procurement strategy for the provision of a Medication Administration Record Service; and

 

(ii) delegates authority to the Director for Adults Services in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services to award a contract and complete all the necessary documentation for the commissioning of the service as outlined within the report.

 

Reasons for the decision:

The described proposal is the preferred option as it will help to maintain the safety of vulnerable citizens and avoid disruption to what remains a relatively fragile home care market. 

 

By implementing the proposal it is intended that the following outcomes will be achieved:

 

      Community pharmacists will continue to provide MAR charts and it will be financially and operationally viable for them to do so.

 

      The governance supporting the provision of MAR charts will be strengthened.

 

      There will be a consistent approach to the provision of MAR charts for service users across the city.

 

      The Council will support best practice in the regard and act as a leader within the local social care sector.

 

A safe ‘holding position’ is created, allowing time for the Medication Policy for Home Support  to be comprehensively reviewed and revised, and options for further improving medication governance to be explored.

Alternative options considered:

The following alternative options have been considered:

 

a)    Do nothing

 

In practice this is not an acceptable option.  Pharmacists clearly stated that they would stop producing MAR charts if a resolution was not implemented.  Further to the assurances given by Phil Holmes they agreed to continue as an interim measure, on this agreement that payment will be backdated to April 2017. 

 

To take no action now would renege on the formal assurances provided.  Furthermore, it would place service users at greater risk of medication errors and cause disruption within the home care market.

 

b)    Implement an electronic alternative

 

There are a number of electronic MAR systems on the market which have the potential to improve administration of medication, record keeping and accountability. 

 

However, there are a number of technical, operational and financial implications which need to be fully understood before this option can be pursued.  It is not, therefore, feasible to undertake this option at the present time, however there is potential to do so at a later date, following the implementation of the MAR Service in its proposed form.

 

c)    Rewrite the Sheffield Medication Policy for Home Support, removing the requirement for MAR charts

 

For the reasons described in section 1 of the report, in terms of the legislative context, safety of service users and stability of the home care market, this option was also discounted.

Publication date: 11/01/2018

Date of decision: 10/01/2018

Effective from: 18/01/2018

Accompanying Documents: