Youngsters catch pharmacy robot in action at new facility
Patients can now watch a state-of-the-art robot in action when they come to pick up their prescriptions at an all-new hospital pharmacy.
The Medicine Chest at Birmingham Children’s Hospital has relocated and been transformed into a larger, child-friendly area which includes a viewing window into the room where the hi-tech automated dispensing robot operates.
It also boasts comfortable seating and charity-funded collection lockers so families can pick up completed prescriptions.
It’s situated on the ground floor of the new Loveday Street clinical building and can be accessed via the entrance door off Steelhouse Lane, next to the Emergency Department.
Clear signage is in place directing people to the new location of the service, which dispenses around 5,500 specialist medicines each month.
Hash Shah, Principal Pharmacist, said: “This project has been a truly collaborative effort, with multiple teams working seamlessly over several years to bring a shared vision into reality. It represents a significant milestone Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and a very exciting step forward for our patients, families and the dedicated pharmacy teams who support them every day.
“Importantly, this is not just a relocation. It is a purpose-designed pharmacy - built around the specific needs of our paediatric population.
“The environment has been carefully designed to reduce anxiety through bespoke furniture and environment, improve accessibility by offering translated medication labels and accessible pharmacy design, alongside the prescription collection locker.
“All of these things will help streamline the final, and often most critical step, of a child’s care journey by using innovative digital solutions, like the new automated dispensing robot and electronic medicine systems to improve accuracy and patient safety.”
The pharmacy has been also designed with the future firmly in mind, aligning with the NHS 10-Year Plan by enabling more digital, efficient and patient-centred models of care.
Hash added: “This investment allows us to work smarter, improve safety and flow and create capacity to innovate - ultimately delivering a better experience and better outcomes for the children and families we serve, both now and for years to come.”
For more information go to bwc.nhs.uk/pharmacy
