Homecare for Rheumatology Patients

This resource is intended to provide rheumatology patients with information about the Homecare service.

What is Homecare?

Homecare is a term used describe companies that deliver medication directly to people’s homes as a more convenient option for patients with long term conditions. Before this option was available, many families were inconvenienced by having to travel to their local hospitals or other healthcare centres to collect their medication.

When would I need to use Homecare?

If you have been trained to give your medications at home by subcutaneous injection, the rheumatology nurses will arrange for a Homecare company to deliver the medication directly to your home. Homecare companies only deliver specific injectable medicines. If you take other medicines you will still need to get these in the usual way (either from your GP or the hospital, depending on your medicines).

You will be given an initial supply of your medication from the hospital pharmacy department. Within 4 to 5 weeks of being at home on your medication you should be contacted by the Homecare company to arrange your first delivery.

What do I need to do now?

In order to aid the process of receiving your first delivery from the Homecare company and prevent delays from occurring, it would be helpful if you could contact the rheumatology nurses on 0114 271 7786 and leave a message or send an e-mail to rheumatology.nurses@nhs.net letting us know when you have had your final teaching and are taking the medication at home. This will allow us plenty of time to arrange your first delivery with the Homecare company.

It is also very important that you ensure your blood tests are carried out when they should be. Once you have had blood taken for the tests please let the rheumatology nurses know by leaving a message on 0114 271 7750 or sending an e-mail to the above address. If you have not had your blood tests we will be unable to process your Homecare prescription which may result in delays in you receiving your medication on time.

Who do I need to contact if I have any concerns or questions about my medication delivery?

If you have not received a delivery from the Homecare company, or have any other concerns or questions related to your delivery, you can contact them directly using the contact information below.

Sciensus

• General Enquiries: 0333 103 9499
• Adalimumab: 0333 103 9699
• Etanercept: 0333 103 9599
• Methotrexate:0333 103 9838
• www.sciensus.com

Lloyds

• Tocilizumab: 0345 2636 123
• e-mail: enquiries@LPclinicalhomecare.co.uk
• lpclinicalhomecare.co.uk

If you continue to have problems or concerns regarding your delivery that you have been unable to resolve directly with the company, then please contact the rheumatology nurses by telephone or e-mail for further advice.