Hospital pharmacy

• What is the role of hospital pharmacists in the NHS?

  To manage and optimize the use of medicines for patients.
• How is hospital pharmacy structured?

  It is structured into various roles including Foundation Pharmacist, Specialist Clinical Pharmacist, and Advanced Clinical Pharmacist.
• What are the stages of the NHS Discharge Medicines Service (DMS)?

  The stages include referral, clinical check, and patient engagement regarding their medicines.
• What are the benefits of the NHS DMS?

  It optimizes medicine use, reduces harm during transfer of care, and improves patient understanding of their medications.
• What is primary care?

  Care provided in the community.
• What is secondary care?

  Care provided in hospitals.
• What is tertiary care?

  More specialist care provided in hospitals at a regional level.
• What is the daily role of a hospital pharmacist?


  It includes ward work, dispensary cover, education and training, management, and administrative tasks.
• What are ward duties of a hospital pharmacist?

  Ward duties include drug history, medicines reconciliation, clinical checks, medication orders, and patient counseling.
• What is the purpose of a clinical check?

  To ensure the legality, legibility, safety, and clinical appropriateness of prescriptions.
• Who can perform a clinical check?

  Pharmacists.
• What is a drug history?


  A record of a patient's previous medication use and allergies.
• Why is medicines reconciliation important?

  It helps to identify and prevent medication errors during patient admission.
• What are common medication discrepancies in hospitals?

  Transcription errors, omissions, and incorrect dosing.
• What is the Swiss cheese model in hospital pharmacy?

  A model that illustrates how errors can occur at multiple points in the medication process.
• What information is included in a hospital chart?

  Patient identifiers, allergies, medication doses, and responsible consultant.
• What is the role of community pharmacy in the NHS DMS?

  To support patients with medication optimization and reconciliation after discharge.