A robotic medication machine helping rural residents access urgent medication is being trialled in Wales.
The first of its kind in Europe, it is located outside Dolgellau Hospital in north Wales.
The “ground-breaking technology” will see medication dispensed after a teleconsultation with a clinician through contacting NHS 111 out of hours.
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It differs to other robotic dispensing hardware as previous models hold medication that have been prescribed against a prescription, whereas this trial will have the machine pre-loaded with medication to be issued following a remote teleconsultation.
The ‘REMEDY’ machine is a joint project between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Bangor University who are collaborating with the manufacturer Videosystems, supplier Omnicell, and Oxford University.
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One its project leaders, clinical academic and out-of-hours GP Dr Rebecca Payne, said although it’s been “adapted from an existing technology, using it in this way is a European first”.
“It’s fantastic to see North Wales leading the way, developing cutting edge technology which can make a real difference to patients, particularly those in rural areas like Dolgellau.”
‘A huge benefit’
Patients will use a unique code to access the machine much like parcel collection lockers, and a “restricted selection of medicines frequently prescribed after an out of hours consultation (e.g., antibiotics, steroids, inhalers)” will be dispensed to them as prescribed in their teleconsultation.
Bangor University said the machine “offers secure storage and issuing of up to 100 medications” and they will be “selected from the local out of hours formulary by the care provider”.
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Strategic lead for community pharmacy at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Dr Adam Mackridge said the machine will be “a huge benefit” to the Dolgellau area who are far from other health services in improving “equity of medicines access and reduce health inequalities”.
The dispensing machine is being funded by Health Care Research Wales at a cost of £267,287, and the trial will run until March 2027.
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Bangor University’s North Wales Medical School director of research Professor Dyfrig Hughes said “making medicines more accessible to patients is essential to reducing pressures on out-of-hours and emergency services”.
“Our study will evaluate whether the REMEDY machine represents good value for money, given the need to scrutinise healthcare investments during these financially straitened times,” he added.