Pharmacy
We collaborate with medical professionals, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare team members to oversee your medication regimen. Our aim is to ensure that you receive the most appropriate medications, at the right dosage, for the right treatment duration, administered at the prescribed times.
Furthermore, we offer guidance to medical professionals, nurses, patients, and caregivers regarding optimisation of medication treatments, potential medication side effects and interactions with other drugs or dietary components. This guidance is of particular significance if you are elderly, have multiple medical conditions, or are on multiple medications.
We can assist in identifying and discontinuing drugs that may pose risks to you and assist to update your medication list. If you encounter challenges in remembering to take your medications, we can provide practical advice to support you in this area.
Our team comprises of:
- Clinical Pharmacists who can provide specialised knowledge in medications and provide advice to patients and other Health Care Professionals on dosing, potential interactions, and side effects of different medications.
- Pharmacy technicians who are responsible for dispensing medications and ensuring their timely delivery to you. They also offer support to the pharmacists in undertaking patient care.
- Our store and administrative personnel who oversee medication inventory management and ensure medications are accessible within the hospital wards.
In addition to working with your healthcare team, we also partner with your general practitioner (GP) and Community Health Services, as well as local pharmacies.
- Medicare card
- Concession or pension card (if you have one)
- Bring all your medicines with you. This includes prescription medicines including puffers, eye drops and creams as well as those you have bought without a prescription (includes herbal and alternative medicines). Please bring the original boxes.
- The nurses in the hospital will be responsible for administering your medications. It is important not to self-administer your own medications while you are in the hospital unless instructed to do so by your nurse or pharmacist.
- During your hospital stay, your medications may change. You may commence on new medications and some medications may be discontinued. Your hospital doctors should always involve you in these decisions and provide information about your treatment options.
- When you are discharged from the hospital, the pharmacy department may provide you with a small supply of any new medications or medications with changed dosages. You will need to schedule an appointment with your GP within five days of leaving the hospital to obtain prescriptions for any ongoing or new medications you may require.
- Before you are discharged, your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor will explain the medications you need to take at home, how to take them, the duration of treatment, and proper storage. They may also provide you with a list of your medications.
- Information leaflets about each medication are also available to help you better understand your medications. If you have any questions or need more information about your medications, you can ask your nurse, midwife, or doctor to contact the pharmacist.
- If you wish to speak to a pharmacist before leaving the hospital, please inform the nursing staff so that they can arrange for a pharmacist to meet with you.
The brand names of medications may sometimes be different to your usual medications. The active ingredient is responsible for the effects of the medication. The brand name is the name assigned by the pharmaceutical company. There might be several different brand names for the same medication. Therefore, the medication you get in the hospital might look different and have a different name compared to the one you are given at home (the hospital may not stock the same brand you have at home). If you have any concerns talk to the pharmacist, nurse or doctor.
While you are in the hospital, a pharmacist or doctor might come to see you to discuss your medications. They will inquire about the medications you are currently prescribed, how you are taking them, and if you're encountering any problems. They may offer suggestions to make it easier for you to take your medications, and if any medicines are not providing the expected benefits, they may discontinue them. This is also an opportunity for you to have a conversation about your medications and ask any questions you may have. This process is known as a medication review.
When you are discharged from the hospital, it is important to inform your GP, community pharmacist, and other healthcare providers about any changes made to your medications during your hospital stay. If you have been provided with a list of your medications when you left the hospital, be sure to bring it with you when you visit your GP and community pharmacist so that they can update their records accordingly. If you no longer require a particular medication, bring any remaining doses back to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
If you require guidance or have questions once you are back home, you can either consult your local community pharmacist or contact the hospital pharmacy by phone.
There is no charge for medicines used when you are an inpatient and have a Medicare card.
If you present to the pharmacy with a prescription from the outpatient clinic, there may be a charge for your medications. The pharmacy staff will let you know what those charges are.
Healthdirect - 1800 022 222
Healthdirect is a health information service in Australia. It offers online health information and advice.
MotherSafe - 9382 6539 (Sydney Metropolitan Area) 1800 647 848 (Non-Metropolitan Area)
Mothersafe is a free telephone service, based at the Royal Hospital for Women. It provides a counselling service for women concerned about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
NSW Poisons Information Centre - 13 11 26
The Poisons Information Centre provides the latest information on poisons. You can ring 24 hours a day.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.