Managing medicines in hospital deal signed

HOSPITALS have signed a deal to provide a system for managing medicines they say will be safer and more efficient.

Healthcare supply company Deenova said the contract with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is its first in the UK.

Claire Ellwood, chief pharmacist at the trust, said: “We’re proud to be working with Deenova to deploy the first unit dose closed loop medicines management system in the UK.

“Every year, we administer millions of medication doses so it’s vital our processes are as safe and efficient as possible.

“The partnership with Deenova will increase automation within our medication processes, helping to reduce errors and wastage as well as freeing up staff time for other care and tasks.

“After a successful pilot, we are pleased to start planning the roll out across our three hospitals.

“This programme will ensure the right medicines are in the right place at the right time and will undoubtedly improve care for our patients.”

Giorgio Pavesi, managing director of Deenova, in Italy, said: “I am extremely proud of the teamwork and dedication exhibited by our employees and those of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, proving to the health care industry the patient safety and economic advantages of Deenova’s unique Closed-Loop Medication Unit Dose management system and services.”

He said Deenova plans to fulfill the contract with the delivery, installation and full service and support for three All-in-1 and 1 Acced Packaging Robots, 56 All-in-1 Station Medication Dispensing Robots, and more than 100 All-in-1 Trolleys with secure bed-side verification.

Tim Robinson, commercial director of East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (ASHN), said: “A key role of AHSNs is to help build collaboration across sectors, and in particular to connect commercial innovators with the heath and care organisations that could benefit from their innovations.

“With this in mind, we welcome the progress made in Leicester.

“This is a great example of how the NHS and commercial sector can work in partnership.

“As well as the potential to benefit patients and generate efficiencies, we also welcome the investment into the East Midlands and the jobs this partnership will create.”