PrescQIPP

Reducing Unnecessary Discharge Medicines: A Sustainability Initiative Using Patients' Own Drugs (PODs) (2025)

Northampton General Hospital

Project summary

This sustainability-focused project aimed to reduce unnecessary medicines supply during hospital discharge by increasing the use of patients’ own drugs (PODs), minimising waste, and lowering the carbon footprint associated with medicine overprescribing. Piloted on a renal ward, where patients often have complex and ongoing medication needs, it responded to concerns around NHS medicines waste, financial strain, and the need to align care with the NHS Net Zero agenda.

We identified that patients frequently received supplies of their regular medicines on discharge despite having stock at home or bringing their own into hospital. This duplication led to waste, increased pharmacy workload, delayed discharges, and contributed to environmental harm from unnecessary procurement and disposal.

Our intervention involved educating ward nurses and pharmacy staff about the benefits of POD reuse, effective medicines reconciliation, and correct segregation of medicine waste. Training materials, posters, and monthly audit feedback supported sustained practice change.
Monthly audits over three months (Sept–Nov 2023) measured:

  • PODs used during the hospital stay
  • Items newly dispensed at discharge
  • Estimated financial and carbon savings

Using NHS-recommended emissions factors (0.621 kgCO₂e/£ spent), we calculated the potential carbon savings from avoiding unnecessary medicine supply. Staff surveys revealed strong engagement, with most participants motivated to reduce waste and committed to continuing the initiative.

The project improved multidisciplinary communication and increased awareness of the environmental impact of medicines waste. Patients benefited from faster, safer discharges using familiar medicines. The project required no additional funding and has been embedded into routine practice.

With minimal cost and high adaptability, the model is now being scaled across the Trust and shared externally. It was recognised with the Director’s Choice Award in our Trust’s Improving Together Awards, selected for its innovation and tangible impact on patient care and sustainability.

This simple, low-cost intervention—grounded in education, audit, and staff engagement—demonstrates how frontline action can promote medicines optimisation, patient-centred care, and a culture of sustainability, supporting the NHS ambition to reach net zero by 2045.