Homely remedies – refers to medication available to purchase over the counter and is from a locally agreed list of medication that should be administered following the care setting policy and procedure.

Each service user will have an individual homely remedy list in their records that has been approved by their own GP.

Maximum treatment time for Homely Remedies is usually no longer than 48 hours. If symptoms persist and service user does not respond to treatment contact the GP.

Homely Remedies should be recorded on the reverse of the Mar Sheet and in the service user’s notes, along with the Homely Remedies book.

Medication that are usually included in the Homely Remedy list are:

• Paracetamol 500 mg – to be offered for mild to moderate pain/ temperature – 2 tablets 4-6 hourly up to a maximum daily dose of 8 tablets
• Senna tablets – to be offered in cases where constipation is suspected
• Lactulose Syrup – to be offered in cases where constipation is suspected – 10 to 20 ml up to twice daily for a maximum of 2 days
• Gaviscon Liquid – to be offered for relief of heart burn/ indigestion – 5-10 ml up to a maximum daily dose of 30 ml
• Simple Linctus – to be offered for minor coughs – 10 ml 6-8 hourly up to a maximum daily dose of 40 ml