Get involved
Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes
Organisation: Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Brighton & Hove
Evolving Care
What's the idea?
Pharma has a very high carbon footprint, so reducing use helps cut emissions. Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) teams are specialist teams of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working within a Multi-Disciplinary Team. At Sussex Community, our MOCH team has a focus on optimising medicines use for care home residents, ensuring people get the right choice of medicines, at the right time, and are engaged in the process. The team have ongoing discussions with patients, next-of-kin, and care home staff to review several aspects of their medication.
Impact of the project
Improved Care
Reduced pharma waste
Lower carbon emissions
How you could implement a similar idea
- As a Clinician, review medications with your patients and speak to them about more sustainable options.
- As a patient, explore medication options with your Clinician and attend medication reviews when scheduled.
Resources to get you started
There are lots of other NHS partners around the UK now rolling out similar programmes following the NHS England Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes Programme guidance, check out medicines-optimisation-in-care-homes-programme-overview.pdf (england.nhs.uk) for more information.