A new pharmacy will serve thousands of patients at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, following a £1.2 million investment by Pharm@Sea and University Hospitals Sussex.
It is the first time a dedicated outpatient pharmacy has operated within the hospital, making it easy for outpatients and people attending A&E to obtain prescribed medicines while on site.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our services to people visiting Princess Royal Hospital,” said Ashok Soni OBE, chair of the Pharma@Sea board.
“Realising this ambition has been a true collaboration and it’s great to expand our partnership with the Trust and see the benefits of our approach spread even further.
“It’s now quicker and easier for people to get medicines following an appointment, and the hub enables us to double our outpatient prescription home delivery service for frail and elderly patients, and those living with long term conditions in Mid Sussex and Brighton.”
Pharm@Sea first opened at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton more than 10 years ago, but demand there has outstripped its capacity. The new hub will work in partnership with the original premises to improve resilience and effectiveness of Pharm@Sea’s operations.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospitals Sussex, which means all profits are retained within the NHS and can be reinvested into services.
Chief executive of University Hospitals Sussex, Dr George Findlay, said: “The expansion of Pharm@Sea to Princess Royal is fantastic news and I wish to congratulate everyone involved.
“I am proud of the collaboration we have with Pharm@Sea and I’m really pleased to welcome 15 new colleagues to the hospital who will be working in the hub.
“Its location in the main entrance offers great convenience for patients with an outpatient prescription they need dispensed, as well as anyone seeking clinical advice from a pharmacist – which is another great new service we have in the hospital now.”
The Outpatients Pharmacy was officially opened on Monday 10 February with a ceremony and ribbon cutting attended by the Pharma@Sea team, Trust colleagues, partners and supporters.