Free NHS Discharge Medicines Review in Treherbert
Recently left hospital or another care setting? Treherbert Pharmacy provides the NHS Discharge Medicines Review service for eligible patients whose medicines may have changed or need checking after discharge.
Our pharmacy team can compare your discharge information with your current medicines and first prescription after discharge, explain changes, follow up possible discrepancies and arrange further support where needed. Contact us as soon as possible because the first part of the NHS review must be completed within four weeks of your most recent discharge.
Book an NHS discharge medicines review
The service is free when the NHS criteria are met. You can also call 01443 776133 or use the general booking page.
What is a Discharge Medicines Review?
A Discharge Medicines Review, often shortened to DMR, is a two-part NHS pharmacy service for people recently discharged between care settings. It helps ensure that medicine changes made during a hospital stay or other admission are carried through correctly in the community.
The pharmacy team checks discharge information against the medicines prescribed after discharge, discusses how you are managing the new regimen and follows up any concerns. Where necessary, we can contact your GP practice, primary care team, hospital team or another appropriate service.
The review supports safer transfer of care, better understanding of medicines and fewer avoidable problems caused by missing, duplicated, stopped or incorrectly dosed medicines.
Who is eligible for an NHS DMR?
You must have been discharged from a hospital or another care setting, and the pharmacy must have access to information about your most recent discharge or otherwise be aware of that discharge.
- Your medicines changed during the admission; or
- You take four or more medicines; or
- You use a medicines administration record chart or a multi-compartment compliance aid, such as a dosette box or blister pack; or
- A pharmacist or pharmacy technician believes the review would benefit you.
A GP referral is not always required. The service may begin through a hospital or healthcare referral, contact from you or your nominated carer, or because the pharmacy identifies that you may be eligible.
How the Discharge Medicines Review works
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Contact, referral or discharge information
Book online, call the pharmacy or ask your hospital team to send your discharge information to Treherbert Pharmacy. A nominated carer can also contact us where appropriate.
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Part one: medicines reconciliation
A pharmacist or pharmacy technician checks the discharge advice against your current medicines, repeat prescription information and first prescription after discharge. Possible missing, duplicated, stopped or incorrectly dosed medicines are followed up with the relevant healthcare team.
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Initial medicines support
We discuss what has changed, how you are taking the medicines, any difficulties or side effects, and what action is needed. We then agree how and when the follow-up will take place.
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Part two: follow-up
The second discussion normally takes place around your next repeat prescription. We check whether earlier issues have been resolved, answer medicines questions and arrange onward referral or further review where appropriate.
What to bring or have ready
Bring as much information as you can. Do not delay contacting us simply because one item is missing; the team can explain what is needed.
- Your hospital discharge letter or discharge advice letter, if you have it.
- Hospital-supplied medicines and the medicines you are currently taking.
- Your repeat prescription list and any prescription issued after discharge.
- Your dosette box, blister pack or medicines administration record chart, where relevant.
- Questions or concerns from you, your family or your carer.
What can the review help with?
The service is designed to identify and resolve medicines-related problems after a transfer of care. Depending on your circumstances, the pharmacy team may help with:
- Started, stopped or changed medicines: confirming which medicines you should now take and at what dose.
- Possible discrepancies: contacting the GP practice, primary care team, hospital team, care setting, patient or carer as appropriate.
- Understanding and adherence: explaining what medicines are for, how to take them and practical ways to manage the regimen.
- Ongoing support: considering medicines interactions, optimisation opportunities, avoidable waste and referral for a fuller review where needed.
Important timing, consent and service limits
- Contact us promptly: part one of the NHS service must be completed within four weeks of the most recent discharge.
- Information sharing: you will be asked to consent to relevant information being recorded and shared with your GP or primary care team and the NHS organisations involved in providing the service.
- Assessment rather than a guaranteed supply: a DMR checks and supports your medicine regimen. It does not guarantee that a medicine will be prescribed, changed or supplied during the appointment.
- Immediate medicine problems: call the pharmacy the same day if you may miss an important dose or have no supply. Do not wait for a routine DMR appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral?
No, not always. The service can begin through a healthcare referral, contact from you or your nominated carer, or because the pharmacy identifies that you may meet the criteria.
What if I do not have my discharge letter?
Contact us anyway. The hospital may already have sent the information electronically, or the pharmacy team can explain what information is needed before the NHS review can proceed.
Can a carer or family member be involved?
Yes, where appropriate. A nominated carer or family member can help provide information and take part in the discussion, particularly when they support you with your medicines.
Can the review be completed by telephone?
The patient-facing parts of the service can be provided face to face, by telephone or by video consultation when this is suitable and confidentiality can be maintained.
Can I arrange support before a planned hospital admission?
Yes. Speak to the pharmacy before a planned admission about registering for the service so that treatment and medicines information can be received and reviewed after discharge.
When to seek urgent help
A DMR is not an urgent medical assessment. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency or severe reaction.
For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111 Wales. Call Treherbert Pharmacy promptly if you are unsure whether to take a medicine or may run out before the next dose.
Book an NHS Discharge Medicines Review
Arrange support after discharge at Treherbert Pharmacy. The team will confirm whether the NHS criteria are met and what information is needed.
Book an NHS discharge medicines review
You can also call 01443 776133.
Places served
Treherbert Pharmacy provides this NHS service for eligible patients from Treherbert and nearby upper Rhondda communities.
- Treherbert
- Blaenrhondda
- Blaencwm
- Ynyswen
- Treorchy
- Cwmparc
- Penyrenglyn
- Ton Pentre
- Rhondda
- RCT
Related NHS pharmacy services
These services may provide useful support for other health needs before or after a hospital admission.
- NHS independent prescribingAssessment for eligible acute symptoms or clinical problems that need a separate pharmacist-prescriber consultation.
- NHS Common Ailments ServiceFree advice and treatment where appropriate for defined minor illnesses under NHS Wales criteria.
- NHS stop smoking supportStructured support and treatment for people ready to stop smoking, including after hospital advice.
- Treherbert Pharmacy NHS servicesView the wider range of free NHS pharmacy services available locally.
Official patient information: NHS Wales Discharge Medicines Review leaflet.
Contact Treherbert Pharmacy
Page information
Written by: Jonathan James, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, GPhC number 2066318
Clinically reviewed by: Thomas Harries, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC number 2210031
Published: 01/11/2023
Last reviewed: 17/06/2026