Community Care: A Care Worker & Manager Guide to NICE Medicines Management (NG67)

Community Care: A Care Worker & Manager Guide to NICE Medicines Management (NG67)

For social care managers and frontline care workers supporting individuals in the community, managing medicines safely, person-centredly, and effectively is essential.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care across the UK. NICE guidelines set the standard for high-quality care, helping social care organizations stay compliant with regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Below is an accessible breakdown of the NICE Guideline NG67: Managing medicines for adults receiving social care in the community, outlining key roles and responsibilities across each recommendation area.

Breakdown of Key Recommendations

1.1 Governance

Providers must establish clear policies and operational procedures covering all aspects of medicines support. Care managers need to ensure processes promote independence, protect dignity, define accountability, and adhere to standard reporting channels for incidents. Care workers should strictly follow provider policies and never act beyond their assigned responsibilities.

1.2 Assessing and Reviewing a Person’s Medicine Support Needs

Medicines support should form part of the person’s initial social care assessment. Care managers must document specific needs, personal preferences, required support levels, and consent in the care plan. Reassessments must occur regularly or whenever a change in the person’s health, capacity, or circumstances is noted.

1.3 Joint Working Between Health and Social Care

Seamless collaboration between social care staff, primary care teams (GPs), and community pharmacists is vital. Clear communication channels must exist so care staff can query prescriptions or report difficulties without delay.Multidisciplinary reviews ensure care packages remain effective and appropriate.

1.4 Sharing Information About a Person’s Medicines

Whenever care transitions—such as a hospital admission, discharge, or transfer between care agencies—accurate information about current medicines must be shared promptly. Up-to-date lists prevent dose omissions, duplicate therapies, or dangerous drug interactions.

1.5 Ensuring Records Are Accurate and Up to Date

Accurate record-keeping protects both the service user and care workers. Care workers must record every instance of medicines support—whether prompted, assisted, administered, or refused—on a Medication Administration Record (MAR) or daily care log immediately after the action takes place.

1.6 Managing Concerns About Medicines

Care workers should monitor service users for side effects, changes in physical or mental state, or missed doses. Any errors, incidents, or safety concerns must be reported immediately to care managers and relevant healthcare professionals following local safeguarding and incident-reporting protocols.

1.7 Supporting People to Take Their Medicines

Care workers should promote self-management wherever possible, respecting individual choices. Support ranges from simple prompts to opening packaging or full administration. Doses should only be left out for later if an individual risk assessment and explicit plan permit it.

1.8 Giving Medicines to People Without Their Knowledge (Covert Administration)

Covert administration—disguising medicine in food or drink—is only acceptable under strict legal guidelines. It requires a formal Mental Capacity Act assessment, a multi-disciplinary Best Interests decision (including family/carers, GP, and pharmacist), and explicit documentation within the care plan. Care workers must never administer medicines covertly without authorization.

1.9 Ordering and Supplying Medicines

Unless family members or the person themselves handle reordering, care providers must maintain structured systems for tracking medicine orders and deliveries. Care staff should verify received supplies against original orders to detect discrepancies early.

1.10 Transporting, Storing, and Disposing of Medicines

Transporting: Perform risk assessments when care staff transport medicines.
Storing: Agree on secure storage locations within the home (e.g., cool, dry places away from children or vulnerable individuals).
Disposal: Unused, expired, or unwanted medicines must be safely returned to a community pharmacy. Disposal arrangements for controlled drugs or sharp instruments require specific policies.

1.11 Training and Competency

Care workers must not support individuals with medicines until they have received comprehensive training and have been assessed as competent. Managers must review worker skills and knowledge annually, or sooner if practice concerns arise.