ACTIONING CHANGE for AGED CARE Is concerned that the loopholes for aged care providers to use unskilled and untrained staff to dispense [Schedule 4 and schedule 8??? ] medication to residents in care.

Importantly , untrained staff may be unfamiliar with what they are dispensing nor do they realise the complications of polypharmacy[ combination of multiple medications], ie, allergies, whether its appropriate to withhold the drug if the resident's condition has deteriorated, signs of over dosing, recognising and knowing what drug to with withhold and being able to identify it in a blister pack .

Will this fall back and legally penalise the Personal Care Worker/Carer who is only paid 20c extra per hour to take up the task of administering drugs. This continues to suit the providers in their endeavours to make more money at the expense of residents safety and the pressure this puts on staff .

As aged care advocates we have heard and seen reports of drug mishandling, theft  and abuse of drugs by staff meant for the elderly, this of course is just part of the issue. This has been overlooked by providers, the bigger issue is that it is dangerous and criminal as these staff do not know what they are dispensing nor do they realise the complications. Will the provider bare the full consequences of litigation if the staff member misuses and/or abuses allotted residents medication 

[or will this fall back on the poorly paid and unskilled staff].

With such ready and easy access to dangerous medications in aged care, this has also created an environment of drug mishandling, theft abuse of drugs, all impacting negativity on aged care residents. Some residents have also died as a result of medication mishaps.

It is imperative we send this message to the Government as this will be extremely dangerous practice and will also render skilled trained nursing staff out of employment.