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Homecare Service

What is Homecare and how does it work?

The Homecare Medicines Service is a term used to describe the delivery of certain hospital prescribed medicines directly to your home or alternative address that you choose.  In some cases there may be other types of support included such as nursing or teaching in the home environment.

It is managed by the pharmacy homecare team along with your consultants, specialist nurses and pharmacists throughout the hospital.

The company only deliver with your prior approval directly to your home or nominated address, on a prearranged date. Where appropriate Homecare also provides nurses who come to your home to help you get started with some of your medication.

The benefits of Homecare include:

  • Not having to wait at the hospital pharmacy to collect your medicines
  • No need to carry heavy bulky medicines home
  • Avoid travelling to hospital every month to pick up your repeat medication
  • Cost-effective for the NHS

Who will provide my medicines?

The homecare providers we use are private companies who are not part of the NHS or the hospital, but have been chosen by us, from a list of providers who have tendered to provide this service through the East of England procurement hub, to provide this service to you. In some cases there may be two or more providers available to provide the service in which case you, along with your doctor or nurse will be able to choose your provider.

Occasionally we may change the homecare medicines service provider we use. This will always be managed with little to no effect to you. We always use tried and trusted providers who can demonstrate years of experience in providing quality homecare medicines services.

What should you do if you are getting low on medicine stock?

Please notify the Pharmacy Homecare team if you have less than 7 days’ supply and have not heard from your homecare provider. They will contact your homecare company on your behalf to arrange contact and delivery.

How to contact the Pharmacy Homecare team.

Bedford Hospital

Telephone: 01234 355122 extension 6389

E-mail: bhn-tr.pharmacy-buying@nhs.net 

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

You can contact the Luton & Dunstable University Hospital Pharmacy Homecare team by:

Office direct line: 01582 718265 (Monday to Friday, 9.00 – 16.00) no answer phone available.

Via switchboard: 01582 491166, extension 8265

Ldh-tr.ldhomecare@nhs.net (Monday to Friday 10.00 to 16.00)