Self or carer administration of medicines in hospital

Self or carer administration means that either:

• You will be responsible for taking your medicines whilst in hospital.
• Or your carer will be responsible for giving you your medicines whilst you are in hospital.

Self or carer administration may be used for all your medicines, or just for some of them. This may be either independently or under supervision. This can be helpful if your medicines need to be taken at set times or at short notice, for example epilepsy medication.

Self or carer administration can help you to:

• Maintain your independence by continuing to take your medicines as you do at home.
• Improve your knowledge about your medicines and how to use them safely.

No. It is entirely up to you. If you or your carer chooses not to take part, your nurses will give you your medicines whilst you are in hospital and give you information about how to take them when you go home.

Yes. You or your carer can stop self or carer administration at any time. Just let the nursing staff know.

If you or your carer want to take part, please speak to your nurse, doctor or pharmacist. They will then talk you through self or carer administration in more detail, and check your suitability for the scheme.

They will check:

• The reason for your hospital stay.
• How you take your medicines at home.
• Any problems or concerns you may have with taking or giving medicines.
• Your understanding of the medicines.

From this discussion, they will then be able to advise you as to whether self or carer administration will be suitable.

If you are suitable for self or carer administration, you or your carer will:

• Be asked to sign a consent form.
• Be told which medicines you will take or give.

You may also be given:

• A medicines information leaflet as a reminder on how to take or give the medicines.
• A key or card to a bedside medicine locker. If you are given a key or card, you will be asked to sign for receipt and return this.
• A sharps bin – if you are having injectable medicines – to put the used needles in.

You will use the medicines that you have brought into hospital, if suitable. Any other medicines you need whilst in hospital will be supplied by the hospital pharmacy. Each medicine container will have your name, the name of the medicine and instructions on how to take it.

Nursing staff will ask you or your carer what medicines you have taken or given. If you are on medicines with a variable dose – for example insulin– you should tell the nurses what dose you have actually taken or given. The nurses will check in with you more frequently at first, until you are both confident that you are taking your medicines correctly.

If you or your carer forget what medicines you have had or have any queries please speak to your nursing staff or a member of pharmacy team.

To help keep yourself and those around you safe, you should be aware of the following points:

Do tell the nursing or pharmacy team if you/ your carer:

• Are having any problems taking your medicines.
• Loose or mislay your medicines locker key or card.
• You are running low on any medicines.
• Are worried or unsure, or have any questions about your medications.

You must also tell the nursing or pharmacy team:

• The dose you have taken for any variable dose medicines – for example insulin.
• If you experience any side effects. Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacy staff immediately.
• If a visitor or another patient tries to take your medicines.

Do not:

• Exceed the dose on the label.
• Take any medicines that you are unsure about.
• Store anything inside your bedside medicine locker other than your medicines.
• Leave your medicine locker unlocked, even for a short time.
• Give your medicine locker key or card to a relative, visitor or another patient.
• Share your medicines with anyone else.

Before you go home:

• A member of pharmacy staff will check all your medicines and your medicines locker.
• Make sure to return your bedside locker key or card to your nurse.

If during your stay your condition, treatment, or medicines change, and self-administration is no longer appropriate, your nursing staff will give your medications to you.

If your carer is not available to administer your medication to you, nursing staff will give your medicines to you until your carer is available. Your carer should inform your nursing staff if they will not be able to administer any doses of medicines.

If you have any questions or concerns about your medicines, please speak to your nursing team or contact our Medicines Information department. They are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Telephone: 020 7829 8680

Email: Medicines.Information@gosh.nhs.uk

Written by: Medicines Information

Reference: 1225MED0005

Last reviewed: December 2025

Next review due: December 2029