Pharmacy

The use of medicines is the most common clinical intervention made by the NHS. The Pharmacy Department is recognised as the centre of expert knowledge within the Trust on the use of medicines.

Our aim is to ensure that our patients get the maximum benefit from the medicines they receive, and that medicines are managed safely within the organisation

The Pharmacy Department provides a modern facility delivering a full range of pharmaceutical services:

• Distribution to all Wye Valley NHS Trust Sites, St Michael’s Hospice and Ledbury Intermediate Care facility operated by Shaw Healthcare
• Dispensing of Clinical Trials
• Medicines Information services to hospital doctors, nurses and general practitioners, community pharmacists and members of the general public
• Specialist preparation services including, Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), Aseptically prepared products, Cytotoxic Drugs predominantly for patients receiving chemotherapy
• Clinical pharmacy services to a range of wards including Paediatrics, ITU, Medicine, Surgery and Geriatric Medicine including ward based medicines management services to improve patient discharge at the end of their inpatient stay
• 24/7 On Call Emergency Service

Medicines and coming into hospital

If you are coming to hospital for an inpatient stay, please remember to bring your medicines in with you and any information you may have in relation to the medicines you routinely take at home. This way we can ensure you continue to receive the correct medicines during your stay in hospital. Where appropriate these medicines will be used during your inpatient stay.

Outline of the department

The use of medicines is the most common clinical intervention made by the NHS and unless managed appropriately can be a significant clinical and financial risk. The Pharmacy Department is recognised as the centre of expert knowledge within the Trust on the use of medicines. Our aim is to ensure that our patients get the maximum benefit from the medicines they receive.

Pharmacy Department is located on the first floor of The County Hospital directly above the Accident and Emergency Department opposite the Spires Restaurant.

Our staff

Our staff comprises Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Assistant Technical Officers and Administrative Support.

Pharmacists must be registered to work in the NHS. For this they need a degree in Pharmacy from one of the Schools of Pharmacy approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) then undertake a one year pre registration period within a pharmacy, followed by a GPhC exam. All qualified pharmacy courses are at masters Degree Level and are four years in length.

Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacy Technicians, like pharmacists must be registered with the GPhC. In order to register they require an NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy services or equivalent. The training involves both practical experience and study at a college or by open learning. It usually takes 2 years to complete.

In hospital, there are several grades of Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians. Both can specialise in areas such as medicines management, technical services, medicines information, procurement, information technology and staff training. There a many opportunities for post registration development including hospital clinical diplomas and non-medical prescribing.

Assistant Technical Officers work alongside pharmacy technicians and under the supervision of a pharmacist or senior pharmacy technician. Staff in this category have a range of roles and responsibilities including dispensing, distribution and procurement. We regularly take on apprentices to experience working in Pharmacy and many have progressed to either permanent employment as a pharmacy assistant or as a student pharmacy technician

All Pharmacy staff are there to help patients. If you have queries relating to your medicines please do ask the Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician that visits the ward you are on during you inpatient stay or contact the Dispensary or Medicines Information on the contact numbers below.

Herefordshire joint medicine formulary

Yvonne Coats is the formulary lead for the Herefordshire Joint Medicines Formulary and can be contacted on 01432 261767.  Click here to view the drug formulary.

Links with other departments

The Pharmacy Department works closely with all clinical specialties on the choice, supply, use and handling of medicines within the Tru