News.Scotland.Org

Scotland, Nov 7: The national regulatory body on care homes will examine whether the staff working in the care home are concealing drugs in the food and water of elderly residents. This kind of practice is known as ‘covert medication.’ This enquiry is based on a media report that seven care homes in Scotland are giving drugs without making the residents aware of it.

According to campaigners giving medicine to the helpless adults without their consent is a violation of human rights. There is also an accusation that anti-psychotic drugs are given this way in an attempt to control the aggressive patients.

By visiting the care homes all over Scotland the Mental Welfare Commission and the Care Commission will examine the way in which the medicine is being given to the older patients in Scotland.

Next course of action is not yet decided. But a spokesman of Care Commission assured that the enquiry has already begun. He further added that they are working hand in hand with the Mental Welfare Commission to find out the problem related to the direction of drug usage. This attempt will help in raising the awareness level by promoting discussion. After gathering concrete evidence the exact solution of this issue will be decided.

The Mental Welfare Commission gave its guidance regarding the intake of medicines. Drugs should be given in a concealed way only if the particular patient has the possibility of getting violent or confused if the medicines are given directly. It should be in the best interest of the patients. The re-evaluation will consider the extent of this guidelines being followed. They have already discussed the need to keep an eye on the way in which the drugs are being administered to the elder patients with the Care Commission.

Let us hope for a holistic solution to evolve out the enquiry jointly conducted by the Mental Welfare Commission and the Care Commission.

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