Discharge Medicines Service in Stoke-on-Trent
Recently discharged from hospital? Derby Street Pharmacy can review your new medications and help you understand your treatment plan, completely free on the NHS.
What is the Discharge Medicines Service?
Leaving hospital often means changes to your medication. New medicines may be started, doses adjusted, or certain treatments stopped altogether. It can be difficult to keep track of everything, especially while you are still recovering.
The Discharge Medicines Service (DMS) is a free NHS programme that ensures patients recently released from hospital receive proper support from their community pharmacy. At Derby Street Pharmacy, our pharmacists will carefully review your discharge summary, explain any changes to your medication, and make sure you understand how and when to take each medicine.
This service helps catch potential errors, prevents confusion, and gives you the confidence to manage your medicines safely at home. You do not need an appointment and there is no charge.
How It Works
Discharged from Hospital
When you leave hospital, you will receive a discharge summary listing your current medications and any changes made during your stay.
Bring Your Summary to Us
Visit Derby Street Pharmacy with your discharge summary. You can come in at any time during opening hours, no appointment needed.
Pharmacist Reviews and Explains
Our pharmacist reviews all medication changes, answers your questions, and ensures your GP records are updated so your ongoing prescriptions are correct.
Benefits
- Completely free on the NHS
- Clear explanation of any medication changes made in hospital
- Helps catch prescribing errors before they cause problems
- Ensures your GP is informed of hospital medication changes
- Supports a smoother recovery at home
- No appointment needed - just walk in with your discharge summary
- One-to-one support from a qualified pharmacist
- Peace of mind that you are taking the right medicines at the right doses
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring when I visit?
Please bring your hospital discharge summary and any medication you were given to take home. If you have a list of the medicines you were taking before your hospital stay, that is also helpful. Our pharmacist will compare everything to make sure nothing has been missed.
How soon after leaving hospital should I visit?
We recommend visiting as soon as you are able, ideally within a few days of being discharged. The sooner we can review your medicines, the sooner we can resolve any questions or concerns about your treatment.
Will you contact my GP about any changes?
Yes. If we identify any discrepancies between your hospital discharge medicines and what your GP has on record, we will liaise with your GP practice to ensure your prescription records are updated correctly.
Is this service really free?
Yes. The Discharge Medicines Service is fully funded by the NHS. There is no charge to you, regardless of your prescription exemption status.
Can a family member bring in my discharge summary?
A family member or carer is welcome to bring in your discharge summary on your behalf. However, we may need to speak with you directly if there are questions about your symptoms or how you are feeling on the new medicines.