Improving medicines safety
We are improving medicines safety in partnership with NHS England, by rolling out electronic systems to support transfer of care.
The systems enable discharge information about medicines to be instantly transferred by a hospital to a patient’s chosen community pharmacy.
We are supporting implementation in 12 trusts in Cheshire and Merseyside, in a pilot study which will be evaluated by a university partner.
Transfer of Care Around Medicine is a national drive to reduce patient safety incidents caused by poor communication when care is transferred at the point of discharge from hospital. When patients who are assessed in hospital as needing additional support with their medicines, they are referred to their community pharmacist on discharge from hospital.
This may be because they have had changes to their medicines, started something new, or just need further discussions to help them take their medicines safely and effectively.
Evidence shows that patients who see their community pharmacist after an admission to hospital are less likely to be readmitted, and if they are they will have a shorter length of stay.
Based on evidence from 2016-17, East Lancashire Hospitals has reduced readmissions by 0.8 per cent or 60 patients, saving £200,000.
Watch a short explainer video here:
For more information, email: info@healthinnovationnwc.nhs.uk
