The NHS DMS

The NHS Discharge Medicines Service (NHS DMS) is considered an essential service commissioned under the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. This means all pharmacies that dispense NHS prescriptions must provide this service if they get a referral.

The service aims to:

• Optimise the use of medicines while facilitating shared decision-making
• Reduce harm from medicines at transfers of care
• Improve patients’ understanding of their medicines and how to take them following discharge from hospital
• Reduce hospital readmissions
• Support the development of effective team working across hospital, community and PCN pharmacy teams and general practice teams, providing clarity about respective roles.

There are two key documents that pharmacy professionals should be familiar with to understand how the service is delivered by community pharmacy. These also outline the role that pharmacy teams play within NHS Trusts and PCNs in maximising the impact of the service:

• NHS Discharge Medicines Service regulations guidance, particularly sections 8.5 to 8.9
• NHS Discharge Medicines Service – Essential Service: Toolkit for pharmacy staff in community, primary and secondary care.