Before you come into hospital
If you are coming into hospital, please bring an up‑to‑date list of all the medicines you take. This includes prescription medicines, inhalers, creams, eye drops, over‑the‑counter medicines and herbal or complementary remedies. Please tell staff about any allergies, side-effects you have experienced, or difficulties taking medicines, such as swallowing problems. Bringing this information helps staff ensure your medicines are continued safely and accurately.
Your medicines while your are in hospital
During your hospital stay, your medicines will be reviewed by doctors, nurses and pharmacists as part of your care. Some medicines may be stopped, changed or new ones started. We encourage you to use the ‘5 moments for medication safety’ booklet to help you record any questions that you have and information from the healthcare professionals who are looking after you. Medicines supplied in hospital may look different from those you take at home because of different brands or packaging.
Using your own medicines
In some cases, your own medicines can be used during your hospital stay. This will only happen after they have been checked by pharmacy or nursing staff to ensure they are suitable, in date and clearly labelled. Staff will advise you whether your own medicines can be used or whether hospital medicines will be supplied instead.
Leaving hospital (Discharge medicines)
Before you leave hospital, your medicines will be reviewed and any changes explained to you. You will be told which medicines to continue, which have changed and whether any new medicines have been started. Where appropriate, you will receive printed information to help you take your medicines safely at home. Information about medicine changes will be shared with your GP.
At discharge, you will receive a minimum of 14 days supply, or up to 28 days supply, of the medicines that you need.
After you go home
If you have questions or concerns about your medicines after leaving hospital, help is available. Depending on the situation, you can contact your GP, your community pharmacist or your hospital clinic team. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without advice unless you have been specifically told to do so.
Specialist medicines
In Northern Ireland there are certain medicines that are only prescribed and dispensed by hospitals. These medicines are often referred to as ‘red or amber-list’ medicines. To ensure your medicine is supplied safely and with the right information and checks, please only order and collect specialist medicines during the pharmacy’s normal opening times (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm). Specialist medicines cannot be supplied outside these hours.