Leaving hospital with medicine - Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Download (PDF 1.37 MB)Summary of report content
In early 2022, Healthwatch Oxfordshire was asked to help Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) gain insight into patient experience of the Patient Medicines Helpline, which provides support to people recently discharged from hospital about their medication. They undertook a survey to which 113 people responded.
Most people had been given clear, thorough information about their medicines. Some indicated they were less confident and needed more information about their medicines
A key finding was that few respondents had heard of the patient medicines helpline. Most said they would have contacted their GP or a pharmacy if they needed more information about their medicines when at home.
Patients valued time taken by health professionals to explain clearly and answer questions or concerns about medicines. Timing of this was important –they wanted information before discharge and when not in pain or post recovery.
Whilst information about medicines was given on a discharge letter and medicines pack, a number of patients commented that instructions could be more ‘patient friendly’ written in clear language and relating to real life routines.
There were numerous comments focused on frustrations about the delay in discharge and in waiting for medicines from the pharmacy once ready to leave hospital - some waiting for almost the whole day.
Healthwatch heard about different aspects of communication and interface between patient and other health professionals once they had left hospital. Where they should turn was not always clear to the patient, and this could be stressful for patients.
The report contains four recommendations about better communication, instructions and the discharge process.