When admitted onto a ward please declare any medications you have brought in, including any creams or inhalers. If agreed with your nursing team, some medications may be kept with you but must be stored in the bedside lockers provided at all times.
Taking medication, including over the counter or herbal products without us knowing could make you more poorly.
If you are visiting a patient and they ask you to bring in medications from home please let their medical team know.
Do you have any of the following conditions?
Parkinson's, HIV, Epilepsy or Diabetes ... please speak with your medical team so we can ensure you get your medication on time.
If you will be continuing to take medications that you have brought with you from home, these will be returned to you just before you leave the ward. In some cases, you will need new medications to take home. These should be prescribed by a Doctor, checked by a Pharmacist and supplied to the ward the day before your discharge date. If this does not happen, please speak to your ward team, as the late arrival of your medicines may delay your discharge.
If you need your medications to be organised in a monitored dosage system (blister pack), the pharmacy department usually need to give notice to your community pharmacist for them to prepare it. It is therefore important that your needs are discussed with the ward staff well in advance of your discharge date to avoid any delay.
On the day of discharge your medications will be discussed with you, and we will explain how they should be taken, as well as any common side effects that you should be aware of. You should make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible after leaving hospital to obtain a further supply of any prescribed medications (if needed). Your GP will also receive an update from the ward giving a brief outline of your admission, any investigations and findings, any further follow up arranged or any interventions required by the GP. If you need additional information about your medications, you can contact your local pharmacist for a medicines check-up and review.
