Approximately half of all adults in the UK take prescription medication, but only half take this medication correctly in terms of timing and dose. Many elderly and vulnerable people (e.g. those with mental health issues) require additional support to ensure that they take medicines correctly, with many of those over 75 on multiple drugs for long term health issues. This support is often given as part of any care visits or as a specialised medication visit. Taking medication correctly is key to good health and independence and important now more than ever as we aim to reduce burdens on the NHS.
Within the current Covid-19 pandemic, it is important that we shield those most at risk from poor health outcomes whilst maintaining their support network and protecting the health and safety of carers and the wider support network. Therefore, it is not always possible to offer the same level of in-person care or family support visits and maintain everyone's safety.
We will pilot our patient centred medication support solution, YOURMeds. YOURMeds is a pre-packed smart medication pack and electronic tag that alerts the user to take their medication and notifies their nominated support network including formal carers and family to any instances when medicines are taken incorrectly (e.g. wrong, missed or overdosed). This digital solution works remotely, transmitting data to the YOURMeds dashboard (accessible via an app for support networks) using the same technology as a mobile phone. Therefore no separate internet connection is required.
We will work with a GP group and care agency to recruit participants to our planned pilot and test our solution for a period of 10 weeks with each participant. Our solution will help patients feel supported and maintain their good health and independence in a period where they may not be able to access their usual service or have the support of their wider networks and family.
In the longer term, there is scope for YOURMeds to save time and money for councils and other agencies providing adult social care whilst also minimising hospital admissions. This would create additional capacity in the care system and bring more vulnerable people into the safety net.