Information for the public

Sharing information about your medicines

Sharing information about your medicines

If you are transferred from 1 place to another – for example, from 1 hospital ward to another, or into the community if you have been in hospital – it is important that relevant information about your medicines, and a list of medicines you are taking, is discussed and shared with you or members of your family or carers. Relevant information about you and your medicines should also be shared between health and social care practitioners involved in your care (see box 1). This is so that everyone involved in your care has the information they need to help prevent mistakes with your medicines wherever possible. The information should be shared safely and accurately, ideally within 24 hours of your transfer, and health and social care practitioners should respect your confidentiality. You (or your family or carers) should be given a complete and accurate list of your current medicines in a format that suits you. The list should include any changes to your medicines – for example, changes made during your stay in hospital.

Box 1 Information shared when you are transferred to a different place

  • Your contact details

  • Your GP's contact details

  • Details of other relevant contacts you or members of your family or your carers have identified (for example, your nominated community pharmacy –the pharmacy that is most suitable for you)

  • Information about allergies you have to medicines or their ingredients or reasons why you haven't been able to take specific medicines in the past

  • Details of the medicines you are taking at the moment, including the dose, how they are taken and what they are taken for

  • Changes to your medicines, including medicines started or stopped, or dosage changes, and reason for the change

  • Date and time of the last dose – for example, for medicines that are taken once a week or once a month, including any injections or patches you have

  • What information you (or your family members or carers) have been given

  • Other information, including when your medicines should be reviewed or monitored, and what support you may need to carry on taking the medicines.

NICE has produced guidance on drug allergy. See other NICE guidance for more information.

  • Information Standard