• Reference Number: HEY019/2025
• Departments: Pharmacy, Trustwide - Adult
• Last Updated: 31 July 2025

Further Supplies

When you are discharged from hospital, the hospital pharmacy will ensure you have an appropriate supply of all your medications.

Your GP surgery will ensure your medications records are reviewed and updated.

When you require a further supply of your medications, check what medications you still have at home before re-ordering.

Precautions

NEVER share your medications with anyone else, they are prescribed only for YOU.

NEVER take medications from an unlabelled container.

NEVER transfer medications from one container into another.

KEEP medication out of reach and sight of children.

BE AWARE the medicines supplied by your local pharmacy MAY look different from those supplied by the hospital pharmacy.

CAUTION when using ALL skin emollient products. DO NOT smoke or go near naked flames or go near anyone smoking or using naked flames. Change clothing and bedding regularly, products dried on them can catch fire easily and is a potential fire hazard.

CAUTION if you are taking a medication that may make you sleepy. If this happens DO NOT DRIVE or use tools or machines. It is an offence to drive while under the influence of drugs.

Further information is available at the following website: http://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law

Useful contact numbers

NHS 111

You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it is not an 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Tel:111

NHS Website www.nhs.uk

Provides online information and guidance on all aspects of health and healthcare, to help you make decisions about your health. Web:

For Free NHS Quit Smoking Support

Download the NHS ‘Quit Smoking App’

Alternatively you can call the free Smokefree Helpline on Tel: 0300 123 4044

The pharmacy opening hours are available on the Trust website www.hey.nhs.uk/pharmacy/

How should your medicines be used?

Take your medicine in the way your doctor has told you to.

Follow the printed instructions on the label carefully. If this is unclear or differs to the way the doctor has told you, contact the pharmacy using the details on the pharmacy label.

Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain anything that you do not understand.

Your community pharmacy will be able to give you advice, support and provide a wide range of services after you leave hospital

How to store your medicines

Keep medication in the containers they were supplied in.

Please follow any instructions on how to keep your medication which may appear on the label or container e.g. store in the fridge.

Store medication in a dry place, out of direct sunlight and avoid humid/warm conditions e.g. Do not store medicines on top of a fridge.

Re-Admission into hospital

If you need to go back into hospital, remember, if possible, to take an up-to-date list of your current medication along with the medications themselves.

Why is it important to bring these with you?

• If you have your medicines with you, there is a reduced risk of missed or delayed doses.
• You will be able to take your own brand of medicines, that you are familiar with.
• If we know what you are already taking, it will help us to make sure you are prescribed your existing medicines accurately, and to prescribe any new medicines to you safely.
• If your prescription changes while you are in hospital, we will be able to safely dispose of any unwanted medicines with your permission and supply you any new medication prescribed.

Disposal and Recycling of medicines

PLEASE take unused, out of date or changed medications to your local community pharmacy for safe disposal.

NEVER dispose of your unused or unwanted medicines down the sink, toilet or in a domestic waste bin.

Different Recycling Schemes:

• Complete the Cycle – Available in many local pharmacies and GP surgeries, this is the first national recycling and recovery scheme for respiratory inhalers.
• Boots Recycling Scheme – The scheme supports blister pack disposal through specialised recycling bins in over 700 UK stores. Customers can contribute to sustainability and earn Advantage Card points by participating.

Could it be SEPSIS?

Sepsis is a severe infection, which can be life threatening, and needs emergency treatment, usually in hospital

The symptoms of sepsis may be unclear, so seek medical advice immediately if you have any concerns.

Always get help if you or anyone has:

Slurred speech or confusion.

Extreme shivering or muscle pain.

Passing no urine within 12 to 18 hours.

Severe breathlessness.

It feels like you’re going to die.

Skin mottled or discoloured.

Other symptoms which could suggest sepsis include:

• VERY high temperature (fever) or low body temperature (feels very cold).
• Feeling very sleepy or about to lose consciousness.
• Severe tummy (abdominal) pain.
• Feeling very dizzy or faint, or having a fit (seizure).
• A rash which does not fade with pressure.
• Not eating any food or drinking any fluid.
• Being sick (vomiting) repeatedly.

If you do have sepsis, you may also have other symptoms of infection such as a flu-like illness (cough, fever, muscle aches and joint pains) or diarrhoea and vomiting.

Early treatment saves lives. Call your GP or 111 immediately if you’re concerned. Call 999 if you are very concerned, or if there’s a delay in talking to your doctor.

For more information visit: www.sepsistrust.org

or call UK SEPSIS Trust on Tel: 08088000029