Salford Royal Hospital to Begin DMS Referral Test for Opiates

From Monday 20th May, the Salford NCA site will begin a test of change focusing on Discharge Medicines Service (DMS) referrals for patients discharged with opiates and related medicines.

The test will run for approximately six weeks and apply to patients discharged from three surgical wards and Critical Care. Following this period, there are plans for a wider rollout across the rest of the Salford site, informed by learnings from the pilot.

While the number of referrals is expected to be low, likely fewer than one per day, this test will help refine the referral process and ensure appropriate follow-up in community pharmacy settings.

Referral Criteria

Patients will be referred for DMS support if, at discharge, any of the following apply:

• Increased opiate dose compared to admission
• Modified release opiate prescribed (if this is a new formulation or changed during admission)
• Any regular opiate prescribed without a defined stop date
• Pregabalin or Gabapentin dose increase compared to admission
• New prescription for Pregabalin or Gabapentin (initiated during the admission or at discharge)

This work aims to support safer patient transitions by ensuring high-risk medicines are reviewed and followed up appropriately post-discharge.

Further updates will be shared as the test progresses.