New medicine collection lockers now available at Great Western Hospital Boots Pharmacy

Patients collecting prescriptions from Great Western Hospital Boots Pharmacy can now, where eligible, choose to use new secure medicine collection lockers designed to make collecting medication quicker and more flexible.

The service allows patients to collect certain prescriptions from a self-service locker system outside of standard pharmacy opening times, helping reduce waiting time and improve convenience.

What are the medicine lockers?

The medicine lockers are secure storage units located at the Boots Pharmacy site at Great Western Hospital. When your prescription is suitable for locker collection, you may be offered this option instead of collecting directly from the pharmacy counter.

The lockers are operated by Boots Pharmacy at Great Western Hospital.

Benefits of using the lockers

If you are eligible to use the service, the lockers offer a number of advantages:

• Collect your medication at a time that suits you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Free hospital parking for up to 20 minutes while you collect your prescription
• No need to wait at the pharmacy while your medication is prepared
• A nominated person can collect on your behalf (with your consent)
• Secure storage to keep medicines safe until collection

How the service works

If the lockers are suitable for your prescription, you will need a smartphone to use the service.

Step-by-step process:

1. Provide your mobile phone number when you hand in your prescription at Boots Pharmacy.
2. Once your medication is ready, you will receive a text message with a secure link to access the locker.
3. You must collect your prescription within 72 hours (3 days) of receiving this message.
4. When you arrive at the lockers, ensure you have Wi-Fi or mobile data available.
5. Open the link on your phone, follow the instructions, and enter your date of birth.
6. Swipe on screen to unlock the correct locker and collect your medication.
7. Remove all items before closing the locker, as it cannot be reopened once shut.

Important information about collection times

• Medication must be collected within 72 hours
• You will receive a reminder text when there are 24 hours remaining
• If not collected in time, the locker will automatically close
• Your prescription will then be returned to the pharmacy for collection instead
• You will be notified by text if this happens
• Standard hospital parking charges apply if you stay longer than 20 minutes

When lockers may not be suitable

The locker service cannot be used in certain situations, including:

• If you do not have access to a smartphone
• If the medication is:
• too large for the locker
• requires fridge or freezer storage
• a controlled drug requiring special handling
• If your prescription requires detailed counselling or additional instructions

If lockers are not suitable for you, pharmacy staff will discuss alternative collection options.

Need help or support?

The team at Boots Pharmacy at Great Western Hospital is available to support patients.

Please contact the pharmacy if:

• you have questions about your medication
• you experience difficulties accessing the locker system
• you are unable to collect your medication or encounter an issue during use

Pharmacy opening times and contact information can be found on the Pharmacy webpage.

This new service has been introduced to provide patients with a more flexible and secure way to collect eligible prescriptions while reducing waiting times at the pharmacy.