Home > News > Mental Health Prescribing
Mental Health Care Drug Prescribing
Learning Industries are working with Kent, Surrey and Sussex Partnership NHS Trusts to develop an e-learning package to provide training on the prescribing and administration of medication in mental health care.
The company has been commissioned by the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust and the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust to develop a revised version of the In-Patient Medication Prescribing and Administration e-Learning package, specifically designed to provide training on the proper use of the regions’ drug prescription and administration chart.
Drug prescribing and administration within mental health care differs from that in acute health care in a number of ways. In-patient stays are often longer; a specialised range of drugs and treatments are commonly used; and policies and procedures are tailored to the specific requirements of the environment. As such, the drug prescription and administration charts in use differ in a number of key aspects and have features specific to a mental health care environment.
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Partnership NHS Trusts each provide mental health care services within their respective counties and also work in partnership to coordinate services across the region. The partnership has recently developed a standardised drug prescription and administration chart for use in all mental health facilities within the region. This is a major improvement in service provision that will help to reduce the risk of medication errors.
The roll out of the new standardised drug chart is being supported by the delivery of training in the proper use and correct completion of the chart by both doctors prescribing medication and nurses administering drugs to patients. The training will be delivered via e-learning and will be made available to both existing clinical staff and to new recruits joining the Trusts.
Learning Industries are working with Chief Pharmacists from the partner Trusts to adapt the In-Patient Medication Prescribing and Administration e-Learning package to the specific requirements of the Partnership Trusts and to reflect the format of the standardised drug chart. The e-learning is expected to be rolled out early in the New Year.
Web:
Sussex Partnership NHS Trust [new window]
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust [new window]
30 October 2006
