Congratulations to Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who have today gone live with Transfer of Care Around Medicines (TCAM), an initiative that offers Community Pharmacist support for patients leaving hospital.
When some patients leave hospital, they can need extra support taking their prescribed medicines. This may be because their medicines have changed, or they need a bit of help taking their medicines safely and effectively.
The transfer of care process between care settings is also associated with an increased risk of harm, with 30-70% of patients experiencing unintentional changes to their treatment, or an error being made because of a miscommunication. These are some of the challenges that the Transfer of Care Around Medicines Programme aims to address.
The TCAM pathway also brings benefits to Community Pharmacy through improved workflow and operational processes, better informed dispensing and a reduction in waste medicine.
Lisa James, Senior Programme Manager at KSS AHSN, said that today’s launch marks the seventh area to run the programme.
“We’ve been working with partners across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including trusts, Local Pharmaceutical Committees and CCGs, to implement the pathway, and are delighted to see W go live with TCAM today. This is a great achievement and a superb way to end, what has been for many, a challenging year.”
