Leaving hospital can mean changes to your medicines. The NHS Discharge Medicines Service (DMS) helps connect hospital teams with a patient's chosen community pharmacy, so medicine changes can be checked and explained as care moves back into the community.
Why is the service important?
During a hospital stay, new medicines may be started, doses adjusted, or medicines stopped. Keeping the information up to date helps reduce the risk of confusion, missed changes, or unintended duplication when prescriptions are continued after discharge.
DMS supports communication between the hospital, GP and community pharmacy and can help patients feel more confident about their treatment plan.
How does DMS work?
- Information is shared: With the appropriate referral and information from the hospital, the patient's chosen community pharmacy can receive details of medicine changes and the discharge plan.
- The pharmacist reviews the changes: The community pharmacist checks the information against the medicines and prescriptions being arranged, and follows up any discrepancies or questions with the relevant healthcare team.
- Support is offered: The pharmacist can speak with the patient or their carer to explain what the medicines are for, how and when to take them, and what side effects or concerns to discuss with a healthcare professional.
What can I do after leaving hospital?
- Read the discharge information you are given and keep it available for your GP and pharmacist.
- Tell your community pharmacy about any questions or difficulties you have with your medicines.
- Ask your pharmacist or prescriber before stopping or changing a medicine if you are unsure.
- If you care for someone, you can help them keep track of questions and understand the plan, with their agreement.
Accessing the service
DMS usually starts with a referral from the hospital team to the patient's nominated community pharmacy. Availability depends on an appropriate referral and the patient's circumstances. If you think you may benefit but have not heard from your pharmacy, contact the hospital discharge team or your community pharmacy to ask whether a referral was made.
If you have questions about the service, contact our pharmacy team. For urgent concerns about your health or medicines, contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services as appropriate.