New pharmacy with hi-tech robot opens at Guy's Hospital

A state-of-the-art robot is helping patients at Guy’s Hospital get their medicines quicker.

The dispensing robot was installed as part of an extensive transformation of the LloydsPharmacy to maximise efficiency and space.

The robot is capable of storing and dispensing large quantities of medicine, which has reduced processing time.

Relocated into the main hospital building, the pharmacy is more than double the size of the previous facility and is closer to the outpatient clinics.

Patients were involved in the redesign, which led to the installation of information screens in the nearby Toms hospital café.

The screens alert patients when their prescriptions are ready, reducing the need for them to wait in the department.

Sir Hugh Taylor, Chairman for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Toby Anderson, Chief Executive for McKesson UK, which includes LloydsPharmacy, officially opened the new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Sir Hugh Taylor said: “The new pharmacy provides a bigger and better environment for patients and allows staff to deal with the 18,000 prescriptions they dispense each month more efficiently.

“It was very important that our patients were involved in the design of the new pharmacy to ensure the new space fully meets their needs and we are providing them with the best possible service.

“The new design and dispensing robot has significantly reduced the time our patients have to wait for their medication and has resulted in less queues and congestion. The feedback from staff and patients has been extremely positive.”

Toby Anderson said:  “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ to help offer their patients the best possible pharmacy service and make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. Together, we’ve listened to what patients have told us to make it quicker and easier for them.

“The new larger pharmacy is a nicer place for my colleagues to work, and thanks to the new dispensing robot, the pharmacy team can now spend more time with patients answering their questions and advising them rather than having to complete manual stock tasks that the robot can now do.”

The pharmacy has opened on the ground floor of Tower Wing at Guy's Hospital.