Information for the public
Managing your medicines
If you have been in hospital and are taking several medicines, or you have a long‑term condition, or you are an older person, you may be able to have extra support with your medicines after you leave hospital. The support could include advice from a pharmacist, telephone support, or home visits from your GP or a nurse.
Using a self-management plan
If you have a long‑term condition and you want to be involved in managing your medicines yourself, your health professional may discuss with you the benefits of using a self‑management plan. A self‑management plan may include:
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the plan's start and review dates
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the condition(s) that you have
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details of medicines being taken (such as the maximum strength or dose that can be taken, what time of day to take them and how many times a day, and how long they can be taken for)
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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
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what to do if you think you have had a reaction to a medicine, including who you tell about this and what information you should give
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when to ask a health professional for advice
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what is expected of you and what is expected of your health professional
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any other instructions you may need to take your medicines safely and in the right way.
Your health professional should discuss with you how to use the plan, and the benefits and risks of using it. They should also discuss with you your values and preferences and any support you may need, and record the discussion in your medical notes or care plan. The plan should be provided in a format that is suitable for you, and it should be reviewed regularly to check that you aren't having any problems using it.