Momentum Matters

A children’s service emailed TeeJay with what looked like a simple question: how do we dispose of a cheese toastie that has medication in it? It wasn’t simple. The medication was methylphenidate, a Schedule 2 controlled drug. It had been put into a hot toastie, covertly, on a consultant’s advice, and there was no sign a pharmacist had been involved in the decision. The staff had followed the advice they were given. But they did have the confidence to ask what to do with the leftovers, and that one question turned into a safeguarding conversation. TeeJay and Hollie use the story to talk about why medicines and heat don’t mix, what actually happens to a medicine that gets too hot, and why a medicine cupboard that reads 29 degrees at 7am can be a very different story by the afternoon. They also look at covert medication in children’s services, where capacity isn’t about age and children still have the right to refuse, and why the pharmacist belongs in the multidisciplinary team. In this episode: Medicines in food: as little food as possible, kept cool, and checked with a pharmacist first Why heat can destroy a medicine or turn it into something different Heatwaves, medicine cupboards, and medicines left in glove boxes or rucksacks Recording and disposing of a controlled drug that wasn’t taken Covert medication and children: capacity, the right to refuse, and who should be involved in the decision Why consultants are experts in diagnosis and treatment options, and pharmacists are the experts in medicines How to challenge something that doesn’t seem right without rubbing anyone up the wrong way A second query from the team’s inbox: an end of life medication shortage, and why using another resident’s medicine wasn’t an option Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome 01:06 The saga of the cheese toastie 04:30 Who said to put it in hot food? 07:12 Raising it as a safeguarding concern 09:18 Why medicines and heat don’t mix 12:43 What happens to a medicine when it’s heated 14:04 Heatwaves and medicine cupboards 16:41 Controlled drug records and disposal 17:56 Ask, challenge, and check it out 20:24 The end of life medication shortage query 23:32 Covert medication and children 27:26 Final thoughts If you’ve trained with us and something doesn’t feel right, always fee free to ask! No question is a silly question, and the team would always rather hear it than not, no matter what it is. If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe wherever you listen to Momentum Matters.

A short one this time - no guest, no deep dive, just a quick run-through of a few things that have come into effect, or are coming down the line, that are worth having on your radar. In this bonus episode, TeeJay covers: A once-weekly insulin for type 2 diabetes — NICE is currently evaluating it, with its technology appraisal expected in October 2026. Nothing to change today, but if it goes ahead it could mean moving from 365 injections a year to roughly 52 - a real practical shift for anyone relying on family or carer support for daily injections. KidzMed: helping children learn to swallow tablets — a free, practical six-step technique from Medicines for Children, with a cartoon-style guide and video. Useful for anyone supporting children and young people with medicines in SEND settings, education, or residential childcare. Benedict's Law — new DfE statutory guidance on allergy safety in schools, now coming into force in England. Covers allergy safety policies, individual healthcare plans, and proper staff training on recognising and responding to anaphylaxis (a step well beyond standard first aid training). Applies to maintained schools, special schools, academies and pupil referral units — and covers wraparound care, breakfast clubs and after-school provision too. 🔗 Links mentioned: KidzMed resources: https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/news/helping-your-child-to-swallow-tablets-new-resources-from-kidzmed/ Benedict's Law / DfE allergy safety guidance: Allergy safety in schools statutory guidance We'll be putting out bonus episodes like this whenever there's something you need to know about, so keep an eye out.

Medication Safety When Staffing Is Stretched: the Myth of the "Do Not Disturb" Tabard Summer holidays, half term, winter sickness season - whenever staffing gets tight in care homes and home care, medication rounds are where the pressure lands first. Rushed handovers. Agency staff who don't know the MAR chart or where anything is kept. Gaps that nobody catches until something's already gone wrong. In this episode of Momentum Matters, host TeeJay is joined by medication trainer Lizzie Roe to talk honestly about what a chaotic meds round actually looks like on the ground, and what care leaders can put in place so medication safety holds up even when the rota doesn't. In this episode: Why the 7–10am medication round is the highest-risk window of the day The real impact of unfamiliar agency and temporary staff on medication errors Why "do not disturb" tabards don't always work, and what does Building better handovers using SBAR, so critical information doesn't depend on who's telling the story Lizzie's own experience of making a medication error, and what changed afterwards How care leaders can create a culture where staff feel safe reporting mistakes and near misses Practical, low-cost changes managers can make this month: private prep spaces, protected handover time, and encouraging professional curiosity from every member of staff Whether you're a registered manager, deputy manager, nurse, or care assistant, this episode is packed with practical, real-world ideas for reducing medication risk, without blaming the staff caught in the middle of it. Follow Momentum Matters so you don't miss the next episode on medicines, clinical care and regulatory updates across UK care settings.

In this episode, TeeJay speaks with Chris Pitcher, Director at Stoke Chiro Spinal Health Centre and The Spine Space in Congleton, about why chiropractic care is so relevant to the care industry, and how it can transform outcomes for both carers and the people they support. What you'll hear: Chris explains the science behind what chiropractors do, debunking the "just cracking bones" myth. He walks through how chiropractic works via the nervous system model and proprioception - that crucial feedback loop that keeps your body balanced and protected from injury. You'll learn why back and neck pain are so common in care work (spoiler: it's not just about manual handling), and how anxiety can spiral pain into something much bigger. Chris shares his approach to working alongside medication, not against it, and how he helps people rebuild confidence after injury. The conversation shifts to the people care teams look after, particularly elderly residents dealing with falls risk. Chris breaks down how simple, playful activities - whether that's brushing teeth on one leg or friendly challenges with a chair - can build strength and balance without feeling like formal exercise. A key theme throughout: small changes compound. Whether it's five minutes of movement a day, managed stress, or just showing your team you care, the impact ripples outward. Chris also tackles weight loss medications (GLPs like Mounjaro), the importance of getting professional advice, and his "be a stepping stone, not a dead end" philosophy - if chiropractic isn't the right fit, he'll signpost you elsewhere. Practical takeaways for care teams: How to spot when someone's struggling (it's often visible before they tell you) Why workplace wellbeing programs pay for themselves Simple interventions that cost nothing or very little How to build referral relationships with practitioners you trust Get in touch with Chris: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Chris Pitcher Phone: Contact Stoke Chiro Spinal Health Centre on 01782 660744 and ask for Chris

Diabetes in Focus: What Every Care Team Needs to Know Right Now TeeJay is joined by clinical trainer Hollie Carlile for a conversation about diabetes that's equal parts practical and exciting, because as they recorded this episode, a landmark piece of news landed from Diabetes UK that changes the picture for type 1 diabetes in the UK. From the technology reshaping daily monitoring, to breakthrough treatments and what care teams should be watching for in the people they support, this one covers a lot of ground; and all of it matters for care teams supporting people with diabetes in the community. In this episode: Type 1 vs type 2 diabetes explained — and why the line between them is blurring The rise of type 2 in younger people and why processed food and lifestyle play a bigger role than ever Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) — how Dexcom and Libre work, who they're for, and why they're changing the game The missing million — up to a million people in the UK are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes right now. The signs your care team should be watching for Hypos, hypers, and why high blood sugar over time is just as dangerous as a crisis moment Complications of poorly managed diabetes: retinopathy, kidney disease, nerve damage, wound healing, and amputation — and why care teams in the community need to understand the long-term picture GLP-1 medications — what they are, how they work, the weight loss debate, and the new tablet option now available. Plus a serious warning about fake GLP-1s being sold online Breaking news: Teplizumab has just been approved by NICE for NHS use — a drug that can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes by up to three years. TeeJay and Hollie talk about what that means and the new screening programme rolling out for children aged 2–17 Inhaled insulin — not yet available in the UK, but worth watching Talking labels — a small but important piece of tech for people with diabetes-related sight loss managing their own medications Useful links: Diabetes UK risk quiz: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/diabetes-risk-factors NICE guidance on CGM for type 2 diabetes: Blood glucose management | Type 2 diabetes in adults: management | Guidance | NICE Information on Teplizumab / NHS approval: Teplizumab, the first treatment to slow type 1 diabetes, approved for use on the NHS | Diabetes UK Talking Labels - Talking Labels - Medication Management Labelling Solutions - Blind – Talking Products Ltd