Keeping patients safe when they transfer between care providers. If you have recently come home from hospital or another care setting, our pharmacist can check that your medicines are correct and that you feel confident taking them.
It is widely accepted that when patients move between care providers the risk of miscommunication and unintended changes to medications is a significant problem. It has been reported that between 30 and 70 percent of patients have either an error or an unintentional change to their medicines when their care is transferred.
Getting the transfer of medicines information right can be challenging as patients follow complex pathways and systems vary between providers. However, greater collaboration between professionals can make a difference to patient safety.
During the review the pharmacist compares the medicines listed on your discharge information with the next prescription issued by your GP surgery. If anything does not match, for example a medicine that was stopped in hospital but is still being prescribed, or a new medicine that is missing, we contact your surgery to resolve it. We will also talk through what each medicine is for, how and when to take it, and what to do with any medicines you no longer need.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has worked with other Royal Colleges to develop guidance about keeping patients safe when they transfer between care providers. This includes a number of good practice principles for all healthcare professionals involved in the sending and receiving of information about medicines, as well as a number of practical suggestions that providers, commissioners and professionals may wish to implement to support the safe transfer of information.
A family member or carer is welcome to take part in the review with you. Speak to a member of staff if you or someone you care for has recently been discharged and would like support with their medicines.