Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Drive-through pharmacy open for cancer patients
Cancer patients are able to collect vital drugs without having to leave their car thanks to a new pharmacy.
The dispensing facility has been set up at Maidstone Hospital to allow patients, a relative or carer to drive up or arrive on foot to collect their prescribed medicines in the car park next to the Kent Oncology Centre. Branded a Medicines Pick Up Pod, the temporary pharmacy is staffed by members of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s oncology pharmacy team.
NHS colleagues Mildred Johnson and Conchi Blanco came up with the idea of a drive-through distribution point for medicine to help shield cancer patients from the coronavirus as they are at high risk of contracting the virus due to having a weakened immune system. Ms Johnson, clinical director of pharmacy and medicines optimisation, said: “We know the spread of Covid-19 can be reduced by limiting patient contact where possible and we are fully aware of the need to protect patients who are at higher risk of getting coronavirus so those two things were the driving force behind the decision to set this up.
“Thanks to the trust’s estates and facilities department, within seven days of us coming up with the idea the cabin was on site.
“Eight days and it was fully operational.”
It sees around 12-14 patients a day.
Ms Johnson added: “It’s been regarded as a great success by the cancer service division for the safety of our patients and has received a lot of positive feedback from those patients who have used it so far. Before medication is released, the patient undergoes a series of checks, starting with a phone consultation with a doctor or chemotherapy nurse to find out how the patient is feeling and if they are experiencing any side effects caused by the medication they are currently on. Their prescription is then sent to the oncology pharmacy department, where a pharmacist contacts the patient by phone to find out if they have any allergies and if they are taking any additional medication. Once the necessary checks are complete the patient is given a date and time to pick their medicine up from the temporary pharmacy.
If they are unable to get to the cabin, or they don’t have anyone who can collect the prescription on their behalf, it is delivered to their home address by courier. Cancer patient Cilla Millner, 70, from Longfield, said: “I am extremely grateful for the service. The staff have done a wonderful job at a very difficult time.”
The Maidstone Hospital site is home to the Kent Oncology Centre which provides services in Kent, Medway and East Sussex.