Transfer of care

Pharmacy professionals have a role to play in improving safety and quality of care when people transfer between care settings. This could be between primary and secondary care, or secondary care and a care home for example.

The NHS Discharge Medicines Service was introduced in 2021 to promote a consistent approach by community pharmacies in supporting patients referred on discharge from hospital, or other care settings providing secondary care in the community. It is an essential service for contractors in community pharmacy, and all said contractors must be able to provide the service if they receive a referral.

To find further learning and resources on transfer of care and the NHS Discharge Medicines Service, go to the CPPE learning gateway.