Julie McLellan (Director) and Michelle Dodds (Operations Director) of Bluebird Care North Tyneside, North Northumberland, Sunderland & North Durham recently participated in a key meeting at Newcastle University focused on improving medication safety and efficiency for home care recipients. The event, held on February 10th, was organised by Professors Barbara Hanratty and Adam Todd of the Newcastle NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration. The gathering brought together researchers, home care providers, members of the public, and community healthcare staff to explore the complex issue of polypharmacy – the use of multiple medications by a single individual – within the context of home care.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss existing research, including work by Anum Iqbal on home care providers’ perspectives and a review by Radin Karimi on understanding polypharmacy for those receiving home care services. These presentations offered valuable insights into the challenges and potential solutions for managing medications effectively in home settings.
Julie McLellan of Bluebird Care North Tyneside, North Northumberland, Durham North and Sunderland shared her reflections on the event.
"We're incredibly thankful to Newcastle University for the invitation to be part of such an important discussion. It's inspiring to witness the dedication of so many professionals working together to address the complexities of polypharmacy in home care. The opportunity to learn from leading health professionals at Newcastle University and to share our own experiences on the front lines has been invaluable. I'm leaving this meeting with a much deeper understanding of how we can better support our clients in managing their medications safely and effectively."
The meeting served as a valuable platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing, paving the way for potential future research and initiatives aimed at optimising medication management for individuals receiving care at home.
