Which medicines to bring?
Please bring in all medicines that you are taking.
This includes medicines prescribed by your GP (or specialist provider), and any medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements that you buy from a shop or pharmacy.
Be sure to bring in all forms of medicines, such as tablets, capsules, sprays, drops, inhalers, injections and creams.
Why should I bring my medicines into hospital?
Bringing your medicines into hospital with you can help you and your care team.
- You will be taking medicines you are familiar with and that you recognise.
- Having your medicines with you on the ward means there is less chance of you missing doses that are essential to your wellbeing.
- It helps us make sure we prescribe all the medicines you need throughout your stay in hospital.
- If your medicine is changed while you are with us, with your permission, we can safely dispose of any unused or unneeded medicines. This will avoid confusion when you are discharged.
What happens when I bring my medicines into hospital?
Ward staff will carefully check your medicines to make sure they are suitable and safe for use during your stay.
If they are suitable, staff may ask you if you are happy to be given your own medicines during your stay with us. If you say yes, they will be clearly labelled to make sure they can be easily identified as yours and will be safely stored in a locked medicines cabinet.
If you say no, staff will order more medicines for you from the hospital pharmacy.
What if my medicine is no longer needed or cannot be used?
There may be several reasons why a medicine cannot be used in hospital. It may be that we cannot clearly identify it or it may be that you now need a different medicine.
If the medicine is no longer needed, or cannot be used, the staff will ask your permission to safely dispose of it.
The medicines that you bring into hospital with you will only be used for you. We are not allowed to give your medicines to anyone else.
What happens next?
When leaving our care, your medicines will be returned to you, if you are still prescribed them and it is safe to return them.
We will always ask your permission before we dispose of your medicines.
Further information
This information has been written by the specialist mental health pharmacists who work for the Trust.
If you have any questions about your medicines, including potential side effects, please speak to the nursing staff, a doctor or pharmacist on the ward.
For information on Trust services visit www.awp.nhs.uk
BSL Video Relay www.awp.nhs.uk/bslcontactus and ask for our number or for switchboard 01225 731731 to connect you.
PALS
To make a comment, raise a concern or make a complaint, please contact the Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Tel: 01225 362 900
Freephone: 0800 073 1778
Email: awp
Other languages and formats
Please ask the ward staff if you need this information in another language or another way (such as large print, audio, Easy Read).
Or for information in other languages, audio and ‘read aloud’, please click on the Recite Me button at the bottom of our website
Lead: Chief Pharmacist
Leaflet code: 091 AWP
Last reviewed: January 2025
Next review due: January 2027