Table 1 Medicines-related information to be communicated in discharge summaries according to JBDS and NPC criteria (adapted from 24,10)

A list of all medicine prescribed for the patient on discharge from hospital (and not just those dispensed at the time of discharge)

Dose, frequency, formulation and route of all the medicines listed

Medicine stopped and started, with reasons

Details of increasing, or decreasing dose regimens

This information should be clear, unambiguous and legible and should be available to the GP as soon as possible.

Patients should be given a copy of their discharge summary (JBDS 2015)