Discharge Medicine Service

Discharge Medicine Service (DMS) | NHS Pharmacy Support After Hospital | Allied Pharmacies

The Discharge Medicine Service (DMS) is an NHS-funded service that supports patients when they leave hospital. Being discharged from hospital can be an overwhelming time, particularly when you have been prescribed new medications or had changes made to your existing prescriptions.

The DMS ensures a smooth handover between hospital and community pharmacy, helping to reduce the risk of medication errors, confusion about new treatments and preventable hospital readmissions. At Allied Pharmacies, our trained pharmacists work closely with hospital teams to make sure you receive the support you need when you return home.

What Is the Discharge Medicine Service?

The Discharge Medicine Service is part of the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. When you are discharged from hospital, the hospital pharmacy team can refer you to your local community pharmacy for follow-up support with your medications.

The service is designed to help patients who have had changes to their medicines during their hospital stay. This might include new medications being started, existing medications being stopped or doses being changed. Your community pharmacist will review these changes with you and make sure you understand your new medication plan.

The DMS is free of charge as it is funded by the NHS.

Why Is the Discharge Medicine Service Important?

Research shows that the period immediately after leaving hospital is a high-risk time for medication problems. Common issues include:

• Patients not understanding which medications to continue, stop or start
• Confusion when hospital medications have different names or appearances to previous prescriptions
• Delays in getting new prescriptions from the GP after discharge
• Patients accidentally taking both old and new medications, leading to double-dosing
• Side effects from new medications going unmanaged

These medication problems can lead to adverse reactions, worsening health and preventable hospital readmissions. The NHS estimates that around 1 in 5 patients experience a medication-related problem within a few weeks of leaving hospital. The DMS helps reduce this risk by providing a dedicated pharmacy review after discharge.

Who Benefits from the Discharge Medicine Service?

The DMS is available to any patient who has been referred by the hospital pharmacy team upon discharge. It is particularly beneficial for:

• Elderly patients who may be taking multiple medications
• Patients who have had significant changes to their medication during their hospital stay
• Patients who have been prescribed new high-risk medications such as blood thinners, insulin or immunosuppressants
• People who live alone and may not have support at home to help manage their medicines
• Patients with long-term conditions who have had treatment adjustments
• Carers who are responsible for managing someone else's medications

How the Discharge Medicine Service Works

The DMS process is straightforward and happens automatically when your hospital refers you.

• Hospital referral — when you are discharged, the hospital pharmacy team sends your medication details and discharge summary to your nominated community pharmacy
• Pharmacy contact — your pharmacist at Allied Pharmacies will receive the referral and contact you, usually within a few days of your discharge
• Medication review — your pharmacist will go through your medications with you, explaining any changes that were made during your hospital stay, what each medication is for and how to take it correctly
• Prescription check — your pharmacist will ensure your GP has been updated with the new medication plan and that repeat prescriptions reflect the changes made in hospital
• Ongoing support — if you have any questions or concerns about your medication in the weeks following discharge, your pharmacist is available to help

The service is proactive, which means your pharmacist will reach out to you — you do not need to request the service yourself. However, if you have recently left hospital and are concerned about your medications, you can always contact your nearest Allied Pharmacy for advice.

What Happens During a DMS Medication Review?

During your medication review, your pharmacist will:

• Check that you have received all the medications listed on your discharge summary
• Explain any new medications, including what they are for, how to take them and any potential side effects to watch for
• Identify any medications that should have been stopped and ensure you are no longer taking them
• Check for any potential interactions between your new and existing medications
• Answer any questions you have about your treatment plan
• Arrange ongoing prescription supply through your GP if needed

The review can take place in the pharmacy, over the phone or during a home visit depending on your circumstances and mobility.

Reducing Hospital Readmissions

One of the key aims of the Discharge Medicine Service is to reduce preventable hospital readmissions. Studies have shown that medication-related problems are a significant cause of patients being readmitted shortly after discharge. By ensuring patients understand and correctly take their medications, the DMS helps to:

• Reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions
• Prevent medication errors caused by miscommunication between hospital and GP
• Improve patient confidence in managing their own health after leaving hospital
• Identify and resolve problems early before they lead to a medical emergency

Tips for Managing Your Medicines After Hospital

Returning home after a hospital stay can feel daunting, especially if your medication has changed. Here are some practical tips to help you manage your medicines safely:

• Keep a written list of all your current medications, including the name, dose and when to take each one. Your discharge summary is a good starting point
• Use a pill organiser or dosette box to help you remember which medicines to take and when, particularly if you are on multiple medications
• Set reminders on your phone or use a medication reminder app
• Do not stop or change any medication without speaking to your pharmacist or GP first, even if you feel better
• Store your medicines safely, away from children and in the conditions recommended on the packaging
• Dispose of any old or discontinued medications safely — return them to your pharmacy for safe disposal rather than putting them in household waste

If you are struggling to manage your medications at home, speak to your pharmacist about options such as blister-packed medication (dosette boxes) or medication delivery services that may be available at your local Allied Pharmacy.

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

• Part of the NHS Discharge Medicine Service — free of charge
• Trained, GPhC-registered pharmacists experienced in medication reviews
• Proactive follow-up after hospital discharge
• Private consultation rooms for in-depth medication discussions
• Close working relationships with local hospitals and GP surgeries
• Convenient high street locations across the UK

Related Services

• New Medicine Service — NHS support when you are prescribed a new medication for a long-term condition
• Prescription Dispensing — collecting and managing your NHS and private prescriptions
• Independent Prescribing Pharmacist — consultations with pharmacists who can prescribe directly
• Common Ailments Scheme — free NHS treatment for minor health conditions

Visit our full list of pharmacy services.

Find the Discharge Medicine Service Near You

The Discharge Medicine Service is available at participating Allied Pharmacies across the UK. If you have recently been discharged from hospital and have questions about your medication, contact your nearest Allied Pharmacy or ask the hospital to refer you before you leave.

For more information about NHS pharmacy services, visit the NHS pharmacy services page.