Medicines Homecare Review Published in Scotland

In April 2023, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) announced an Independent Medicines Homecare Review following reports of failings of the standards of care provided across Scotland including delays and cancelled medicine deliveries, continuity of supply, poor communication, and service levels. We contributed to this review alongside other charities and Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland.   

The recommendations of the review suggest a whole system approach to improve efficiency and reduce clinical variation, facilitating the design and implementation of a high-quality, patient-centred service that is efficient and sustainable. 

We are pleased that the review has taken on board our recommendations:   

• Improved accountability - a Once for Scotland approach will better define and clarify roles of senior leaders across organisations involved in medicines homecare including clarity of delegation, governance, accountabilities, and responsibilities. 
• Stronger regulation and enforcement -  a regulatory model will ensure robust governance and clear delegation, accountabilities and responsibilities, at all levels. 
• Monitoring performance against Key Performance Indicators – KPIs will focus on the quality of patient care and the overall patient experience, providing oversight of the efficiency and sustainability of those delivering the service.  
• A streamlined and transparent complaints process - access to a consistent complaints approach for people using medicine homecare services, with NHS Scotland oversight. 
• Improved communications with patients – establishment of a national patient forum, which would enable patients to participate in service design. 
• Improved IT systems - a rapid national assessment will allow digital technologies to be adopted and an immediate shift from paper-based communications within and between medicines homecare providers and NHS Scotland.