Prescribing workshop

MHLDC Collaborative invited clinicians working in a virtual ward / hospital at home setting to a workshop on 10 September 2024 to discuss working together to effectively prescribe and oversee the use of medicines.

Most patients cared for on virtual wards and hospital at home will be taking medicines, therefore pharmacy, medicines optimisation and prescribing support is vital to the delivery of these services.

It is recognised that managing medicines on the virtual ward is a challenge due to the unique setting and the interfaces between different sectors. The purpose of this workshop was to explore, discuss and address these challenges through the patient journey and consider potential solutions to improve the safety and effectiveness of medicines use for this cohort of patients.

The workshop covered:

• Prescribing and medicines management responsibilities for various team members caring for patients on virtual wards and hospital at home
• Exploring medicines optimisation and communication of medicines changes
• Focusing on discharge and transfer of care around medicines when patients are stepped down from virtual wards and hospital at home

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