People across Lothian are being asked to bring their medicines with them to hospital, whether it’s for an overnight stay or an outpatient appointment.
Research shows that only around half of patients coming to hospitals across NHS Lothian bring their medication with them. This includes prescription and non-prescription medication such as inhalers, tablets, eye drops etc. When patients do not bring their own medication to hospital, it leads to a lot of unnecessary re-prescribing and waste, and sometimes incomplete records of prescriptions.
Scott Garden, Director of Pharmacy & Medicines for NHS Lothian said: “Like most Health Boards in Scotland, we’re asking patients to bring their medicines with them when coming to hospital as it has a lot of benefits, both for the patient and the NHS. It not only helps us to reduce medicine waste by avoiding unnecessary supply, but also helps prevent delays with discharge, helping patients to get home quicker.”
This initiative follows on from the “Green Bag” scheme, a national campaign in place prior to the pandemic which worked to achieve the same thing. Patients can now use their own bags or containers to bring their medicines to hospital – they no longer need a green bag. The move away from focusing on green bags, supports NHS Lothian’s environmental sustainability agenda.
To help encourage patients, NHS Lothian have launched a new campaign #MyMeds starting on social media, but which will also include signage in pharmacies and primary care centres such as GP waiting rooms.
Patients are asked to bring their medicines with them whether they know they are staying in overnight, going to an outpatient or day appointment or if they have to attend A&E or minor injuries. Hospital staff will help patients look after their medicines throughout their visit.
For more information go to: My Meds & Sustainability – NHS Lothian | Our Services
