Top Bristol Maid Medication Cabinets for Care Homes

28 June 2023

Top Bristol Maid Medication Cabinets for Care Homes

Administering medications is an important part of working in a wide range of healthcare environments. Finding a suitable space to store these medications is crucial. Bristol Maid, a well-established manufacturer of clinical furniture, offer an expansive range of medicine cabinets designed for use in clinical settings, including care homes. With everything from controlled-substance units to storage solutions suitable for self-administration, you're sure to find an excellent quality Bristol Maid cabinet that caters to your needs.

What Is Covered In This Guide?


Managing Medicines In Care Homes

Medication Storage Guidelines

How medication should be stored will depend entirely on what type of drug it is. There are two important factors to consider when choosing a storage solution. First, is there a specific storage temperature recommended by the manufacturer? Second, is the drug a controlled substance?

If the answer to the second question is yes, then you will need to take into consideration the legal requirements regarding the storage of controlled drugs (more info below).


Controlled Drug Cabinets for Care Homes

There are certain controlled drug cabinet requirements which must be adhered to when storing controlled drugs on the premises of a care home. According to the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973, controlled drugs are to be kept in a secure, locked room or receptacle (such as a lockable cabinet).

Bristol Maid Cabinet for Controlled Drugs (335 x 270 x 300mm)

Bristol Maid Cabinet for Controlled Drugs (335 x 270 x 300mm)

Why We Love It...

  • Adheres to the Misuse of Drugs 1973 Regulations
  • Features a lock that meets BS3621 thief-resistance requirements
  • Mounting holes included on rear of unit for easy fixing to wall
  • Supplied with a 322 x 190mm shelf

Ideal For...

  • Controlled substance storage
  • Use alongside larger medicine cabinets (see example here)

Not the Best For...

Why Is This Unit Suitable For Care Homes?

This compact cabinet is ideal for a wide range of care homes, with the smaller sizing making it easy to slot into even the smallest of rooms. The unit also meets the necessary legal requirements for storing controlled substances in care homes, and is designed for optimal safety and protection against theft.


Self-Administered Medication Management in Care Homes

Patients in care homes that are physically and mentally capable of self-administering their medication should be given the choice to do so. Even in these cases, however, staff should be fully trained to offer assistance as and when needed, and to ensure that patients are taking the right amount of the medication and in the correct manner.

Bristol Maid Two-Tone Bedside Cabinet (Cupboard and Two Top Drawers)

Bristol Maid Two-Tone Bedside Cabinet (Cupboard and Two Top Drawers)

Why We Love It...

  • Versatile unit functions as storage for patient's personal items and medications
  • Vibrant spearmint shade can brighten up any room
  • Adjustable shelves allow easy tailoring of space
  • 50mm twin-wheel castors offer mobility

Ideal For...

  • Self-administered drug storage
  • Storage of patient's medications and personal items

Not the Best For...

What Makes This Unit Suitable for Use In Care Homes?

Designed for use as a bedside cabinet, this easily accessible unit is perfect for those who are bed-bound or have limited mobility. The colourful cabinet can be used for storing non-controlled substances, such as asthma pumps and hay fever medication. With 50mm twin-wheel propylene castors, this unit can be easily transported as needed for maximum convenience in busier care homes.


Storage For Monitored Dosage Systems in Care Homes

Bristol Maid Small Wooden Patient Self-Administration Cabinet with CAM Lock

Bristol Maid Small Wooden Patient Self-Administration Cabinet with CAM Lock

Why We Love It...

  • Can be surface or wall mounted, depending on preferences
  • Features a secure key lock, and is supplied with two keys so you have a spare available
  • Lightweight design for easy transport
  • MDS storage allows easier record-keeping regarding medication administration

Ideal For...

  • Monitored Dosage System storage
  • Self-administrated medication storage

Not the Best For...

What Makes This Unit Suitable for Use In Care Homes?

This wooden cabinet is ideal for storage in even the most compact of rooms or cupboards, and has been designed with a high-quality key-lock for optimal security. The cabinet is supplied with two keys, and comes with space for a single frame for Monitored Dosage Systems (MDS). Using an MDS enables patients and care home staff to record and monitor how much medication is taken, and when.


Surface Mounted Medicine Cabinets for Care Homes

Bristol Maid Double-Door Drug Cabinet With 16 Shelves (800 x 300 x 900mm)

Bristol Maid Double-Door Drug Cabinet With 16 Shelves (800 x 300 x 900mm)

Why We Love It...

  • Layout of inner space is fully adjustable
  • Comes with plenty of space for storing various controlled substances
  • Designed with a highly secure anti-pick lock, compliant with BS 3621

Ideal For...

  • Storing Bristol Maid Controlled Drug Cabinets
  • Organising the medications of multiple patients
  • Medical storage that can be easily placed on a desk or table

Not the Best For...

What Makes This Unit Suitable for Use In Care Homes?

With eight adjustable shelves and eight door shelves, this modifiable cabinet is perfect for keeping multiple patients’ medications secure. The 800 x 300 x 900mm unit offers enough room for storing smaller CD cabinets with enhanced security. The cabinet has been designed to comply with British Standards Specifications regarding Cupboards for the Storage of Medicines in Health Care Premises.


Wall Mountable Medicine Cabinet for Care Homes

Bristol Maid 6-Shelf Double Door Drug Cabinet with Light (800 x 300 x 600mm)

Please Note: While this image shows a cabinet with no light and eight shelves, this is for illustrative purposes only. This unit will be supplied with a 12V LED light and six shelves only.

Bristol Maid 6-Shelf Double Door Drug Cabinet with Light (800 x 300 x 600mm)

Why We Love It...

  • Holes on rear offer easy wall mounting (fixings not included)
  • Includes a light to make night-time medicine administration simpler
  • Features a highly secure key lock
  • Shelves are removeable and adjustable

Ideal For...

  • Wall mounted medication and CD cabinet storage
  • Enhanced visibility in dimly-lit environments

Not the Best For...

What Makes This Unit Suitable for Care Homes?

This cabinet is a highly secure storage solution for keeping multiple patients' medications secure. The lightweight design and mounting holes on the rear make fixing this unit to the wall a piece of cake. Also included is a light for easier identification of the cabinet’s contents in dimmer condition


Lockable Medicine Cabinets for Care Homes

A key feature of medicine cabinets designed for clinical settings, such as care homes, is that they feature a secure lock. While key locks tend to be the most more popular choice, there are also plenty of great quality cabinets designed with electronic code locks.

Combination Lock: Bristol Maid Large Wooden Patient Self-Administration Cabinet with Code Lock

Bristol Maid Large Wooden Patient Self-Administration Cabinet with Code Lock

Why We Love It...

  • Suitable for controlled substances
  • Can be used for patient self-administration
  • Includes a customisable 4-code lock for elevated security
  • Adjustable shelves allow tailoring of the storage space

Ideal For...

  • Key-free security for drugs and MDS packs
  • Patient self-administration

Not the Best For...

What Makes This Unit Suitable for Use In Care Homes?

Featured on the door of this wooden cabinet is a highly secure, 4-digit code lock. The medication cabinet is ideal for securely storing either controlled or non-controlled substances. This unit can also be used to store MDS hanging frames for the secure storage of monitored dosage systems.

 

Key Lock: Bristol Maid Cabinet for Controlled Drugs (500 x 450 x 1250mm)

Why We Love It...Bristol Maid Cabinet for Controlled Drugs (500 x 450 x 1250mm)

  • Locks meet British Standard BS3621 for thief-resistance design
  • Durable design ensures prolonged life-span
  • Supplied with four shelves to allow easier organisation of various medicines

Ideal For...

  • Secure storage of drugs and medications
  • Wall mounted storage
  • Storage space that can be adjusted to suit your specific needs

Not the Best For...

What Makes This Unit Suitable for Use In Care Homes?

This controlled drug cabinet is complete with a highly secure key-lock that meets the British Standard BS3621 for thief-resistance. The unit is constructed to adhere to the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973, ensuring that it is appropriate for the legal and secure storage of controlled substances. Also supplied with this cabinet are four fully adjustable shelves, so carers can easily tailor the storage space as needed.


What Is the Difference Between Care Homes and Home Care?

Care homes are environments designed to accommodate the elderly, with multiple staff members available to provide personal and medical care. There are two types of care homes; residential and nursing. The key difference between these two environments is the presence of medical personnel, as in the latter facilities, a qualified nurse should be available at all times.

Home care refers to a chosen carer, whether a family member or hired professional, visiting a private, residential home to offer necessary support and care. For home care scenarios, it is possible to either have a live-in carer, or one who makes regular visits to the home.

Safe Medication Storage for Use At Home

For home care, securing medications is generally less important, as there is generally much less chance of theft. It is important, however, to ensure drugs are kept out-of-reach of children, and to store these medications as instructed by the manufacturer.


Storing medications in care homes requires a solution that is both compliant to manufacturer storage instructions, and one which adheres to the legal requirements of on-site drug storage in residential care homes. It's also important to consider which patients need assistance and which can self-administer, and how your storage solution can help rather than hinder these processes.

To find the perfect medical storage solution for car homes that caters to your needs, explore the extensive range of top-quality Bristol Maid Medicine Cabinets.

 

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