The Care Inspectorate’s Homely remedies in Care Homes: a practice note, introduced in December 2024, highlights the need for timely treatment for minor ailments, as well as the need for a policy about the use of these over-the-counter medicines.
The key points of this practice note are:
- residents have the right to timely treatment for minor ailments, regardless of their medication management needs
- care homes must have a policy that outlines which medicines can be used, dosage guidelines, and record-keeping procedures
- while GPs may not prescribe every homely remedy, they should be consulted for specific cases or when a resident requires regular medication
- the use of homely remedies aligns with various quality standards, ensuring residents receive safe and effective care.1
Source:
- Care Inspectorate Provider Update 19 December 2024.
