Dispensary Services

The dispensary prepares medication for inpatients, outpatients and patients being discharged from hospital. Technicians and assistant technical staff undertake the bulk of the dispensing operation as well as accuracy checks.

Pharmacists provide clinical checks of all dispensed medication including liaison with the prescriber and the ward, where necessary. Drug charts for inpatient use are appropriately annotated to increase therapeutic benefit with warnings and any relevant additional information.

Prescriptions are checked for their appropriateness in both therapeutic terms and in dose, frequency and duration (especially for antibiotics). Counselling is provided for certain medication where deemed necessary.

We have introduced 'one stop' dispensing throughout the hospital. Patients are encouraged to bring all their medication from home that will be stored in a secure bedside locker, to ensure there is no break in treatment on admission. Any medication needed will be dispensed ready for discharge to improve efficiency.

Outpatients

Only specific outpatient clinics and certain previously agreed prescriptions will be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy, all others should be dispensed in the community. Charges are applicable for hospital outpatient prescriptions. Outpatients are supplied with a maximum of two weeks medication, unless a specific course states otherwise or if the medicine is unavailable in the community.

Ward Stock

Most wards, both on the hospital site and outside sites, have their ward stocks topped up by our technical staff on a twice weekly to monthly basis, depending on their usage.

Pharmacy sales

A small limited number of GSL (General Sales List) drugs are available from pharmacy. Please appreciate that some questions maybe asked before products are sold. The pharmacy is registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and can sell 'Pharmacy only' items to staff and the public.