Campaigners call for ‘covert medication’ ban: petition to stop use
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However, it is not not known how commonly drugs are hidden in food and drink. An inspection of Scottish care homes in 2012 discovered that 1.6 per cent of all residents - some 588 people -
were being given covert medication, with some being given up to ten different drugs in covert form. Last night Age Scotland said some care homes were now providing care which traditionally
would have been provided in a hospital or another NHS facility. Chief Executive Keith Robson added: “There should always be a proper assessment of a person’s care needs with professional
input from appropriately qualified staff be they a doctor, nurse or pharmacist with medicines administered safely and effectively for the benefit of the patient. “Age Scotland would be
concerned at any suggestion that the covert administration of medicines to vulnerable people such as those with dementia or mental health conditions was in any way part of routine medical
practice as this goes against all good practice guidelines within the NHS. “Age Scotland would wish to work with organisations representing health professionals and care providers to better
understand this problem and to identify ways in which solutions can be found to protect the interests of vulnerable older people.”