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MSPs probe covert medication call MSPs probe covert medication call
(about 1 hour later)
MSPs have agreed to look into the case of a man who has been campaigning against care homes hiding drugs in the food and drink of residents.MSPs have agreed to look into the case of a man who has been campaigning against care homes hiding drugs in the food and drink of residents.
Aberdonian Hunter Watson claimed the practice of "covert medication" contravenes patients' human rights.Aberdonian Hunter Watson claimed the practice of "covert medication" contravenes patients' human rights.
He began raising questions after his mother was sedated without her consent at a nursing home in the city.He began raising questions after his mother was sedated without her consent at a nursing home in the city.
The Scottish Parliament's petitions committee said it would seek a response from ministers on the issue.The Scottish Parliament's petitions committee said it would seek a response from ministers on the issue.
Committee convener Frank McAveety said it should seek clarity from the government, adding: "There have been some recent cases, sadly, about the quality of care in one or two institutions."Committee convener Frank McAveety said it should seek clarity from the government, adding: "There have been some recent cases, sadly, about the quality of care in one or two institutions."
'Official sanctions''Official sanctions'
Guidance from the Mental Welfare Commission states drugs should only ever be hidden in food or drink when it is in the best interests of a patient who may be confused or aggressive - not for the convenience of staff.Guidance from the Mental Welfare Commission states drugs should only ever be hidden in food or drink when it is in the best interests of a patient who may be confused or aggressive - not for the convenience of staff.
Mr Watson said when he found out his mother had been given a sedative by staff at her care home, he asked them to stop.Mr Watson said when he found out his mother had been given a sedative by staff at her care home, he asked them to stop.
"I would like Scotland to be the first country in the world to say 'look this is wrong - it shouldn't happen'," he said."I would like Scotland to be the first country in the world to say 'look this is wrong - it shouldn't happen'," he said.
Medication is sometimes crushed or combined with foodMedication is sometimes crushed or combined with food
"Instead it could be the first country in the world to sanction it officially."Instead it could be the first country in the world to sanction it officially.
"It's very, very convenient for staff at care homes to conceal drugs in the food and drink of residents, not for therapeutic problems but to make the residents easier to manage."It's very, very convenient for staff at care homes to conceal drugs in the food and drink of residents, not for therapeutic problems but to make the residents easier to manage.
"This can adversely affect the quality of life of residents. This is a human rights issue.""This can adversely affect the quality of life of residents. This is a human rights issue."
Donald Lyons, director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, said it would be a mistake to introduce a complete ban, adding: "If you stop giving medication covertly, quite a few people would not receive the medication they need."Donald Lyons, director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, said it would be a mistake to introduce a complete ban, adding: "If you stop giving medication covertly, quite a few people would not receive the medication they need."
Lindsay Scott, from Help the Aged, said if medication had been prescribed by a doctor with the family's consent and dispensed appropriately then they would endorse it being given covertly to violent or confused residents.Lindsay Scott, from Help the Aged, said if medication had been prescribed by a doctor with the family's consent and dispensed appropriately then they would endorse it being given covertly to violent or confused residents.
Ranauld Mare, of care home body Scottish Care, said workers were in a difficult position, adding: "Whichever way they play it they could be deemed not to have acted in the best interests of the residents."Ranauld Mare, of care home body Scottish Care, said workers were in a difficult position, adding: "Whichever way they play it they could be deemed not to have acted in the best interests of the residents."
Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments using the form below: We asked if you had been affected by the issues in this story. Here is a selection of your comments:
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As nurse I have given "covert"medication.
This was done in the interest of the patient and consent of relatives.If the law is changed I hope relatives are willing to support staff if the patients condition deteriorates as it is not only sedatives that are given this way.A diabetic patient or a patient with a heart condition who also has dementia may refuse to take any medication so all their conditions will deteriorate. I hope Mr Watson will support staff if his mothers general health deteriorates.tilda, alexandria scotland
I worked briefly in a care home where it was the normal practice for medication to be regularly put into cups of tea and these were given to the residents who often put them down wandered around and picked up different cups.Rosie, Hertfordshire
An elderly neighbour ended up in a home and when we visited her she kept saying that she was being given a white pill that wasn't her normal medication. None of the staff would tell her what it was when she asked them.
DM, Strathclyde
Whilst I agree that giving drugs to patients without thier knowledge as a matter of convenience should not be allowed, giving drugs to patients who would not be able or willing to take them without the resort to "hiding them", such as those suffering with dementia, should be allowed.
My Father suffered from a form of dementia and having witnessed the effects of him not taking his drugs no-one could convice me that it was not in his best interest to hide them in his food. Phil Hodges, Hilperton Wiltshire
it sounds to me that hunter Watson has been in a difficult situation with a family member which i can understand completely. As sad as it is you can not ban covert medication. I have had to watch my parents have my grandmother taken into care due to her Alzheimers and Dementia which caused her to suffer from paranoia and distress. She will not take any form of medication and the only way for her to be in a calm non aggressive state is for the staff in her home to give her covert medication. Her carers do an amazing job as do all other carers all over the country. it is a job I know i would not be able to do and so anything that can be done to make their work easier so that they can spend more time caring is a necessity.Andrew Chase, Attleborough
I want to wish Mr Watson the best of luck. Covert medicatation is wrong, people have free choice. Many elderly people, or their families, are paying for care home treatment to help them and improve their lives as they are finding it more difficult to look after themselves and a family member cannot always help out. It is sad that the quality of their lives are actually being affected negatively.
Having worked previously in care homes,i do understand to a degree what Mr Watson is saying,but when you have some residents in a confused state and refuse their medication which they really DO need,concealing the meds in food is usually the lesser of two evils.No one feels particularly good about having to administer drugs in this manner but to NOT have them taken can cause much more damage! Sadly i cannot say with an honest heart that EVERY care home is NOT trying to make it easier for employees to look after residents,but in most cases sedation is a last resort and for the saftey of that person and other residents(and usually with consultation with their GP).Having worked very closely with residents suffering from dementia,its sad but true that some tend to have episodes of aggression,aimed at other residents and of course staff who are trying to help them.I myself have been bitten,scratched,spat on hair pulled..i have scars through some of these incidents and i must stre!
ss i have no grudge or ill feelings towards any resident that has done this.It's actually heartbreaking to witness someone in that situation,mostly they are are just so confused,dont really understand where they are and dont know the strangers that are caring for them..understandable reaction when you are frightened!
So really there is two options,and i suppose its really down to your personal opinion which is best.
You can let the patient refuse their medication,making them in some cases more confused or ill or even in pain..and then have to look on helpless,maybe even have relatives complain that you are not doing enough to help their distressed loved ones..or even other relatives complaining that their loved ones have been attacked by another resident...
Or you can try your hardest to get the medication to your resident through using food or fluids to try and do your best in keeping that person as comfortable and well as possible.
I know that i too have a relative in care that sometimes refuses his medication that he needs to keep him pain free,i personally would rather that he was given his medication and was comfortable,not distressed and that his care staff agreed that it was in his best interest for him! I could not feel good about him being in constant pain or ill because he didnt fully understand just how bad he could and would feel at that minute when he refused his meds.We have to remember that most people use care homes as a last resort when they can no longer give the care or support to their loved ones that they need so much,not an easy decision or one made lightly.But think about if you DID have that loved one at home..would u NOT give them medication in ANY way you could if it meant them being more comfortable?You wouldnt be doing it to make life easy for yourself,you would be doing it because you loved that person and wanted the best for them! Just as you wouldnt allow someone to starve !
to death because they refused food every day or fluids..why refuse them medication that has been prescribed for them as they obviously need it!
Some will completely disagree with what i say,but its MY personal opinion and My feelings both as an employee in a care home AND as a relative of someone being cared for in a care home..and if the day comes that i too will be in that situation,if a doctor has prescribed me medication for whatever reason i hope that if i refuse them while being in a confused state that im not looking at shrugged shoulders and hearing ''oh well i did try but she refused'' and spend the rest of my time in agony or in a worsened state.KM, glasgow
In the past I have worked as a care assistant whilst studying for university and was appauled to see the way some staff both spoke to and treated the residents. It felt to me as if they were offering them a lot less respect than they would people outside of the care home environment. This disappointed me enough without me ever seeing medication being administered covertly which, by removing certain human rights people would have outside of homes, is surely is one of the most disrespectful things to do to another human being.Louise , Edinburgh