Pharmacy services

Pharmacy

The pharmacy department is based at East Surrey Hospital and provides Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust with pharmacy services and advice.

Medicines Information Service

The pharmacy's medicines information service is available to the hospitals within the Trust and to local GPs and health professionals. It provides evidence-based information on medicines, such as administration and dosage, adverse drug reactions, drugs in pregnancy and breast feeding, availability and supply of products.

Formulary

The formulary is a Trust-approved list of medicines. All drugs on the list have proven evidence that they work and are cost effective. GPs and health professionals are encouraged to access the formulary to ensure there is a consistency in the use of drugs within the Trust.  To access the formulary, visit www.sash.nhs.uk/tf

For further advice, email Omar Ali, the Formulary Development Pharmacist, omar.ali@sash.nhs.uk

Patient Medical Lists

When referring patients to hospital, the SASH pharmacy asks GPs and health professionals to write a complete list of all drugs the patient is taking on the referral form. That list should include:

*the name of the drug;

*the prescribed dosage;

*the formulation; 

*the course length, where appropriate;

*indication, where appropriate.

We encourage patients to bring in their own medicines so that there is continuity of treatment and minimises risks due to duplication. The patient's own medicines are routinely used while the patient is in hospital.

Discharge Medication

The Trust will supply all new medicines for inpatients when they are discharged. We will normally supply at least two weeks worth of medicines, assuming the course length is that long. We will review and, if necessary, supply medicines that the patient was taking pre-admission if we have used their own supplies.

For further advice, GPs and medical practitioners can contact:

David Heller, Chief Pharmacist, 01737 231685, or email david.heller@sash.nhs.uk