Homecare Medicines Service

Pharmacy Department

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Introduction

This leaflet aims to provide you with information about the Homecare Medicines Service.  Your child may already receive their medicines from this service or your child’s consultant feels that your family could benefit from the service.

Some families prefer to have their child’s medicine delivered to their home rather than collecting them from the hospital pharmacy. Arrangements can be made for medicines to be delivered to a family’s home or to another agreed location.

Homecare companies provide the delivery service. They are not part of the NHS but have been chosen by the hospital to provide the service on their behalf.  The Homecare Medicines Service is regularly reviewed and monitored by Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Directors and is required to work to the same governance standards as the NHS

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Homecare Medicines Service?

To be able to take part in the service, the following requirements will have to be met:

• Your child is stable on treatment.
• The family attends regular clinic appointments.
• A home or other postal address where the medicines can be delivered safely and securely.
• A contact number and/or an email address for messages.
• The family is available to receive delivery at the scheduled time slot

What would I do if my child’s medication is incomplete (has an owing)?

You must contact the homecare company directly to inform them about the missing items or to arrange another delivery for the owing item before your child’s current supply runs out.

What would I do if I think my child’s medication is going to run out?

You should discuss how much medication you require each time with the homecare company when they contact you to schedule a delivery or when you visit the clinic. If you are about to run out of medicine, contact either the homecare company or pharmacy homecare team at Alder Hey to arrange a new delivery.

What would happen if packages of medicines are lost, delayed or damaged?

If this happens, report the incident to the homecare company. Arrangements will be made for the urgent supply of your medicines by courier if necessary, by the company. If you then receive the original delivery at a later date, you must inform the Pharmacy Homecare Team at Alder Hey. 

What happens if there is no one available to sign for the medicine when they are delivered?

• You will be left a ‘While you were out’ card with a contact number on it to arrange another delivery at a time convenient to you if your child’s medicine(s) require refrigeration.

• With your prior agreement, the delivery can be left with a neighbour or in a secure area at the local delivery office.

Who would I contact if I have concerns about the service or wish to give feedback?

If you wish to contact us to discuss concerns with your homecare medicines supply, please contact the Trust’s Pharmacy Homecare Team on the help line 0151 293 3560. You can leave a message and one of the Pharmacy Team will call you back. Please ensure that you leave your name and contact details. (email: [email protected] ).

Alternatively, you can contact our Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) on 0151 252 5161 (email: [email protected]) to discuss any concern you have.

You will also have the opportunity to give your feedback about the service by completing a patient survey.

How would I join the scheme?

After having the Homecare Service fully explained to you by the hospital clinical nurse you will need to fill in the homecare registration form.  You will then be contacted by the Homecare company. They may call from an unknown number so store their phone number in your telephone, so that you don’t miss their call.

What about confidentiality?

In order to provide you with this service, we will need some basic contact information from you and we will pass a copy to the delivery company.  We will ask you to complete and sign a registration and consent form.  The information you provide will be entered onto a secure database and paper copies securely stored.  The delivery company will use this information to make sure your medicines are delivered to the right address. 

For safety reasons all dispensing records will be held on a computerised patient medication records system. If any of your details change i.e. telephone number or address, it is essential that you pass this information on to your clinic ASAP and inform the homecare company so that future deliveries are sent to the correct address.

What if I do not want my child’s medicine to be delivered by homecare?

It is your decision, you can continue to collect your child’s medicine from the hospital pharmacy you are also free to leave the service at any time, just let the healthcare professional who prescribes your child’s medicine know. They will provide you with a prescription to take to the hospital pharmacy.

How could I find out more information about my child’s treatment?

If you need information about or help with your prescribed medicines, you can contact your consultant or nurse specialist. Alternatively, you can contact the pharmacy at Alder Hey on telephone 0151 252 5837.

This form will be completed when signing up for the Homecare service.

PIAG 066