Medication Social Care

QUB-led team in drug breakthrough for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis sufferers are to benefit from a new, groundbreaking treatment developed by scientists in Northern Ireland, it has emerged.

An international research team led by Queen’s University discovered the drug which will aid those who have the ‘Celtic Gene’, a genetic mutation which is particularly common in Ireland.

But the medication — known as VX-770 — will also help other Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, as it indicates that the basic defect in the illness can be treated.

The study was carried out by scientists at Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, as well as teams of researchers in Europe, the USA and Australia.

They found significant improvement in lung function, quality of life and a reduction in disease flare-ups for those receiving the new treatment.

It is still too early to determine whether this treatment will improve life expectancy, but improvements in breathing tests and the reduction in flare-ups would suggest survival will be better.

Stuart Elborn, Director of the Centre for Infection and Immunity at QUB and co-leader of the study, said the development was significant.

“It is the first to show that treating the underlying cause of Cystic Fibrosis may have profound effects on the disease, even among people who have been living with it for decades,” he said.

The University of Ulster’s Dr Judy Bradley said it was a groundbreaking treatment.

“This drug opens the defective channel in the lung cells of people with Cystic Fibrosis and allows proper lung clearance of bacteria,” she said.

“Correcting the cells with this mutation shows that treatments aimed at the basic mutation can work, leading to improvements in lung function and symptoms.”

Background

Cystic Fibrosis is a common recessive genetic disease which affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and often early death. It is caused by a single faulty gene that controls the movement of salt in the body. Symptoms of CF can include a troublesome cough, repeated chest infections, prolonged diarrhoea and poor weight gain.

Handling Medication in a Social Care Setting

Dalkeith EH22 3NX

Cost

£225 per person (this includes the Trainers Manual)

Booking

Please download the booking form, complete and return to ARC Scotland

Booking form – Handling Medication in Social Care (Train the trainer) (doc) Or contact us Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course trainers will have the materials to deliver a one day course with the following outcomes:

Understand what is meant by “The principles of care” in relation to handling medication, and how these should and can be applied when supporting any individual with their medication routine. Appreciate the importance of continuous risk assessment and individual circumstances & support plans. Have an appreciation of the legal framework which underpins the policies and procedures laid down by employers in relation to supporting people with their medication; Have an appreciation of both personal and organisational accountability and responsibility, and to know who makes the important decisions regarding medication. Be more confident about “Safe handling of medication” (The 7 ‘Rights’ when handling medication) Understand the importance of sharing information appropriately and working consistently with procedures in a team setting and when working alone. Recognise common issues, problems and dilemma’s Be more familiar with organisation’s own policy on handling medication and supporting individuals with medication. The training provides the underpinning knowledge necessary to achieve the SVQ units HSC375, HSC221 and HSC236.

Handling Medication in Social Care Settings

This resource pack has been designed to support trainers to develop their own training programmes on managing medication in a social care setting.

The handbook of social work research methods

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Handling medication in social care settings, distance learning pack ; for staff within social care organisations

Social work practice and psychopharmacology, a person-in-environment approach

COMMON MEDICATION TERMINOLOGY Some common terms in medication dosing and monitoring that the professional social worker should be aware of include ...

Direct Social Work Practice, Theory and Skills

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