Taking medicine may be an important part of recovery after an illness. There are things you can do to make sure you take your medicines safely
You should tell them if you’re taking vitamins or herbal supplements, have any allergies or are, or think you might be, pregnant. During a stay in hospital, make sure you are prescribed all your usual medicines (including eye drops, skin preparations and inhalers). If your usual medicines are stopped, either temporarily or permanently, ask why. If you’re being discharged from hospital it’s important that you, your GP and pharmacist are given clear instructions about the medicines you’ll continue to take, any that have been discontinued, and those where the dose or frequency has been changed. Take any unused medicines to your pharmacist – don’t put them in the bin or flush them away.
After three months, he started feeling breathless. It was the middle of the summer and he thought the heat had brought it on so he ignored it. When it didn’t go away he asked my mother to check the leaflet that came with his medicine and he worked out that the medication was probably responsible. He waited a total of three days before he saw his doctor.
His GP sent him straight to hospital and it was five more days until the doctors started treating him with the drug that could have saved his life. But they were too late. He died eight days later.
After his death, I joined the National Patient Safety Agency’s campaign for more awareness of this drug’s risks. Now when it is prescribed, patients are given information about all the possible side effects and what to look out for – and what to do if they detect anything worrying. We all have to take some responsibility for our health. Part of that responsibility is asking your doctor questions when you get a prescription. Ask about any side effects and, importantly, if they’re serious. These questions could have saved my father’s life. I really don’t think a doctor would mind being asked.”
It's OK to ask if they've cleaned their hands
Germs can cause infections and hospital staff take hand hygiene seriously. Using a disinfectant handrub kills almost all bacteria in just 30 seconds, so your doctor or nurse won’t mind you asking if they’ve remembered to use it.
Please Ask about medicines
