The RBWH Pharmacy will trial a patient medication locker system, located in a publicly accessible area of the hospital that allows patients to access their medicines at a time convenient to them.

This should improve medication access by removing some access barriers and decrease risks associated with non-collection of medicines. 

The RBWH Pharmacy runs an outpatient dispensing service for patients requiring specialised medicines not typically available through community pharmacies. This includes medicines accessed through compassionate access programs, imported through the Special Access Scheme and medicines not funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Patients who keep their scripts on file at RBWH are required to collect their medicines during core business hours. Some of these patients only visit RBWH to collect medicines, which can be time-consuming, costly and inconvenient during the week.

Audits of uncollected items show up to 35 dispensed medications go uncollected every month. There is an evident need to ensure patients collect their medication through a safe collection system that allows access outside of business hours.

Although the use of lockers is limited to medications that don't require refrigeration, aren't listed as a controlled substance and don't require further pharmacist advice, it's anticipated this system will be favourably used by patients.

The locker system will allow patients who collect routine medication to visit RBWH when it suits them and will also assist the RBWH Pharmacy workflow.