The outpatient pharmacy, run by Boots, has launched 114 smart lockers so patients can choose to pick up their prescriptions at a time convenient for them.

Kirsteen Docherty, associate director of pharmacy operations at Guy's and St Thomas', said: ‘We know how important it is for patients to be able to pick up their medicines at a time that suits them, and without having to wait in a queue. These new lockers should make it more flexible to collect some medicines.'

Sara Radeef, pharmacist store manager at Boots, said: ‘The lockers are a great addition to our services for patients at Guy's Hospital, to pick up their prescription in a secure and confidential way.'

Doctors or pharmacy staff will tell patients if they are eligible to use the lockers. Those patients will receive a unique link to their smart phone by text message, through which they can access the locker, following the instructions on screen.

Not all medicines will be suitable for the lockers. Doctors or pharmacy staff will advise patients at the time of writing the prescription, and those patients with other medicines can pick them up from the hospital pharmacy as usual. Patients can also collect their medicines from the pharmacy in the usual way if they don't have a smart phone.