MALVERN Community Hospital has been awarded a highly-commended certificate for an initiative allowing patients to take responsibility for their own medication.

The hospital, in Lansdowne Crescent, began the initiative last December to create independent patients who will be able to look after themselves when they go home.

Mary Horner, modern matron at the hospital, she was delighted it had been awarded a certificate for the project from the Community Hospital Association.

"Each patient has their own medication box in their locker - the old drugs trolley is a thing of the past," she added.

"Part of the philosophy behind it is to ensure patients take medicine correctly and knowledgeably."