Frequently asked questions for our Pharmacies

Can a community pharmacy dispense the hospital white outpatient prescription?

No. These must be dispensed at by our hospital pharmacies.

Can you dispense my green prescription from my GP?

No. These prescriptions must be dispensed by a community pharmacy.

How much medication will I be given when I go home?

Outpatient prescribing

Typically we will give you a supply of medicines to last you 2-4 weeks, after which you should go to your GP for further supplies of medicines. The amount we supply may vary if you require a special course of treatment for a specific length of time e.g. antibiotics. In some cases you may have to return to us for your medicines each time e.g. hospital-based clinical trials, drugs needing specialised investigations or hospital-only medicines. In line with other NHS dispensing, a NHS prescription charge will be made against each prescription item, although standard NHS exemptions and NHS pre-payment certificates will be accepted.

Accident and Emergency

A supply of up to seven days is usually given. In line with other NHS dispensing, a NHS prescription charge will be made against each prescription item, although standard NHS exemptions and NHS pre-payment certificates will be accepted.

Medicines to take home after a stay in hospital

Where appropriate, for new medicines prescribed, up to 28 days is supplied on discharge. For medicines you have brought in, if more than 7 days’ supply is left, no further supply will be made. It is important for medicines that you will be continuing with; you contact your GP for further supplies as soon as possible after discharge. A copy of your discharge prescription will normally be given to you to aid communication when you contact your GP (Please note: packs of the same medicines do differ if manufactured by different companies).

I am coming into hospital for treatment/surgery. Is there anything I can do to prepare?

Please bring all you regular medicines with you.

This should include all prescribed tablets, inhalers, eye drops or creams that you use, along with any items that you may buy from the pharmacy or health food shop. This helps doctors and pharmacists to make sure all the doses and treatments are kept the same, and we can confirm with you exactly what treatments you are taking, or what has been discontinued.

During your hospital stay these items will be used for you, assuring you of continuous care. We will return your medicines to you at discharge and replenish your supply if there is less than seven days treatment left.

Is there anyone I can speak to about my medication?

While you are a hospital in-patient your ward pharmacist, who visits the ward regularly, will be pleased to offer you advice. You may also meet one of our medicines management technicians on the ward who are also able to offer support and information regarding your medication. Pharmacy staff aim to assist in any aspects of medicine-related problems; from supply and provision of medicines, aids to help you remember your medicines (such as tick charts) and information about the therapies and side-effects etc.

If you attend an out-patient clinic at either of the sites you can request to speak to a pharmacist when you have your medicines dispensed.

Patient information leaflets are available in most medicine packs with further information on the medicine.

If you have any further questions once you are at home you can telephone our medicines help lines on 0300 422 2805 (Cheltenham General Pharmacy) Monday to Friday 3pm-4pm, or 0300 422 6837 (Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Pharmacy) 10am-11am

What should I do if my GP can't obtain medication prescribed in hospital?

Your GP will receive details of all the medication prescribed for you in hospital.

Some community pharmacists may not be familiar with some of the specialist medication we use in our hospitals. Should your local pharmacist have difficulty obtaining an item they can telephone our purchasing office for advice on 0300 422 3646 (Cheltenham General Pharmacy) or 0300 422 6191 (Gloucestershire Royal Pharmacy).

Who can I speak to if I have a problem regarding my medication?

If you have any concerns about a dispensed medication please contact the department on 0300 422 3029 (Cheltenham General Hospital Pharmacy) or 0300 422 5509 (Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Pharmacy) so we can direct your question to the most appropriate person.

If you wish to make a complaint, or wish to inform us of excellent service please write to:

Director of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Department,
Cheltenham General Hospital,
Sandford Road,
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire
GL53 7AN

Director of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Department,
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester, GL1 3NN

Will I have to pay for my medicines?

Outpatient prescribing

In line with other NHS dispensing, a NHS prescription charge will be made against each prescription item, although standard NHS exemptions and NHS pre-payment certificates will be accepted.

Accident and Emergency

In line with other NHS dispensing, a NHS prescription charge will be made against each prescription item, although standard NHS exemptions and NHS pre-payment certificates will be accepted.

Medicines to take home after an inpatient stay in hospital

These are provided free of charge