Leaving hospital and returning home can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you have been given new or changed medications. The NHS Discharge Medicines Service, or DMS, is designed to bridge the gap between hospital care and community support. At Exwick Pharmacy on New Valley Rd, Exeter, we are fully registered to deliver this important service to patients across the EX4 postcode and the wider Exeter area.

When a patient is discharged from hospital with new or amended medicines, the hospital sends a referral directly to a community pharmacy of their choice. This triggers a structured consultation where our pharmacist will go through your medications with you, explain what each one is for, how to take it correctly, and what to look out for in terms of side effects or interactions. This conversation can make a significant difference to your safety and recovery at home.
Medication errors following hospital discharge are unfortunately common and can lead to readmission or avoidable harm. The DMS was introduced by the NHS specifically to address this. By having a dedicated pharmacist review your medicines and answer your questions in a calm community setting, we help you feel more confident and informed about your treatment plan. At Exwick Pharmacy, we take this responsibility seriously.

Our DMS consultations are carried out by experienced pharmacists in a private consultation area. We will work through each of your medicines one by one, ensuring you understand the dose, timing, and purpose of each. We will also check for any potential interactions with other medicines you may already be taking and flag anything that requires follow-up with your GP or hospital team.
The Discharge Medicines Service is available to any patient who has been recently discharged from hospital and referred to a community pharmacy by the hospital team. There is no charge for this service. If you or a family member has recently been discharged from hospital and is taking new or changed medicines, please contact or visit Exwick Pharmacy in Exeter as soon as possible so we can support a safe recovery.
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When you are discharged, the hospital team will ask if you consent to a referral to a community pharmacy. They will then send a digital referral directly to your chosen pharmacy, such as Exwick Pharmacy in Exeter.
Yes, the DMS is an NHS-funded service and is completely free for eligible patients who have been referred following a hospital discharge.
Please bring all your current medications, including any that were prescribed before your hospital stay. Having a list of your medicines or your discharge summary is also helpful.
Please do not hesitate to call Exwick Pharmacy. Our team can provide initial guidance over the phone and we will prioritise your DMS consultation as soon as possible.
Absolutely. We encourage family members or carers to attend, particularly if they are helping to manage your medicines at home. Having a familiar person present can also help with understanding and remembering the information.