Pharmacy Services
Dispensary services
Our Out-patient and In-patient dispensaries are staffed by teams of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistant technical officers, all working together to provide a dispensing facility for patients being treated within the Trust and its affiliated services, and for a number of external healthcare organisations (see below).
Out-patient prescriptions are dispensed in order by a numbered ticketing system while the patients or their representatives wait. Prescriptions can also be left for dispensing and collected at a later time (see opening times below). Discharge prescriptions, in-patient medication and ward supplies are made directly to wards and departments, and are distributed at scheduled intervals by the pharmacy portering service.
Our pharmacy at the Freeman Hospital, also has a shop selling a range of over-the-counter medications and personal items, provides advice and information on health-related issues. A range of over-the-counter medicines is also available for purchase from the Outpatient Dispensary at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. This facility is not available at the Newcastle General Hospital Pharmacy.
Medications, dressings and therapeutic devices are provided in accordance with the Newcastle Formulary.
Find out more about our Pharmacy Dispensary locations and opening times here.
Who can use our services?
Our dispensary services are provided primarily for NUTH in-patients, and out-patients attending clinics within the Trust, affiliated healthcare facilities and the Newcastle Fertility Centre. We also dispense private prescriptions for Trust staff, and by prior agreement, for patients being treated at the local private healthcare organisations.
We are unable to dispense NHS prescriptions from your GP (FP10), NHS prescriptions from hospitals intended for dispensing at a retail pharmacy (FP10HP), or hospital prescriptions from other Trusts.
Prescriptions intended for dispensing within our Trust are site-specific and will indicate whether they are intended for Freeman Hospital, Newcastle General Hospital or Royal Victoria Infirmary. It may be possible, by prior arrangement, to have prescriptions dispensed at, or collected from an alternative Trust dispensary. To discuss this, please contact the relevant dispensary manager (see below).
There is also a dedicated Clinical Trials Dispensary within the Northern Centre for Cancer Care for NCCC clinical trial dispensing only.
Prescription Charges
Charges are applicable for hospital out-patient prescriptions at the standard NHS rate. If you attend as an out-patient, you will be supplied with a maximum of four weeks’ medication, unless a specific course states otherwise or if the medicine is unavailable through your own GP.
Private prescription charges are variable and are determined at the point of dispensing. An estimate of the charge may be obtained in advance by contacting the relevant Out-patient dispensary, but this may be subject to change. Payment facilities at the Pharmacy are limited to cash up to £50 or cheque. Card payment facilities are available during limited hours at the Cashier’s Office – an invoice must be obtained from the Pharmacy prior to payment.
Help with costs
Some people are eligible for exemption from charges for prescriptions and other types of NHS treatment. You can find out more information about the groups of patients that are exempt from prescription charges or those who may be entitled help with costs at Help with health costs or by asking for an HC11 leaflet which explains entitlement. You can also obtain a copy from our Cashier’s Office.
Contact us
For prescription order and enquiries:
Freeman Hospital: (0191) 223 1036
NCCC Clinical Trials Dispensary: (0191) 2138241 or 2138242
Newcastle General Hospital: (0191) 233 6161 ext 21016 (Outpatients) or 22135 (Inpatients)
Royal Victoria Infirmary: (0191) 282 5026
If you have any enquires about a dispensed medication that you have received, please speak to one of the dispensary managers.
