What is self-administration?

This is when you are able to administer your own medication whilst in hospital. There are different levels of self- administration depending on what is felt right for you at the time.

What are the benefits?

  • Greater independence
  • Practise administering your own medication with the support of nurses
  • Enables you to identify and resolve any problems you may have with administering your own medication before you go home
  • Improves your knowledge about your medication.

The aim is to:

  • Help you understand why you are taking each medicine and how to take them safely
  • Assist you in understanding more about your condition and general health
  • Provide any extra help or information to make it easier for you to continue taking your medicines when you get home.
  • Stages of the self- administration scheme: Stage 1: Nurse administration. The nurses on the unit will give you your medication. You will be encouraged to attend the clinic room for your medication and learn about your medication and what times it should be taken.
  • Stage 2: Supervised administration. You will administer your own medication under the supervision of the nurse in the clinic room. It is expected that you will remember when your medication is due and will not need reminding by the nurse.
  • Stage 3: Self-administration. You will keep a supply of medication safely locked away in your bedroom. You will be fully responsible for taking the correct medication at the right time. The nurse or a member of staff from the pharmacy team will check your medicines from time to time to make sure everything is going well.

If you agree to participate, one of the clinical team will:

  • Explain self-administration to you in more detail
  • Ask you some questions about how you took your medicines before coming into hospital, to see if you would benefit from some extra help
  • Ask you to sign a consent form to self-administer
  • Explain which medicines you will be taking, and why you need them
  • Explain how much medicine to take and how often
  • Explain any possible side effects of your medicines
  • Offer you a chart that will remind you which medicines you are taking and a chart to record the medicines you have taken if this is something you would benefit from.

If you have any questions about your medicines or the scheme, please ask the nurses or pharmacy staff on the ward – we are here to help you.

Self-administration of medicines is not compulsory and you must not feel that you have to take part even if asked. If you do not wish to participate, it will not affect the overall care provided to you in any way.

Please remember

  • Store all your medicines safely and out of sight – they should be locked in your medicine locker when not being used
  • Only take your medicine at the times and doses on the labels
  • Do not take more medicine than is stated on the label
  • If you are unclear about which medicines you should be taking, how much to take, or how often, please tell one of the nurses
  • If any visitor or another patient tries to take your medicines, please tell the nursing staff at once
  • Remember these medicines are prescribed specifically for you - do not give them to anyone else
  • If at any time, you decide you no longer wish to take part in the self- administration scheme, you may withdraw – just let one of the nurses know. 

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have some concerns, questions or need advice on our services, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 234 6088 or email the PALS team.

Feeling low and need someone to talk to?

Call 0800 915 4640

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm Saturday to Sunday 12pm to Midnight

Need urgent help?

Call 0800 953 0110 24 hours a day, seven days a week

This leaflet is available in alternative languages and formats upon request. Please speak to a member of our staff to arrange this.