Evidence and results

For councils, NHS and care commissioners

Pivotell dispensers have been used by UK councils and NHS services since 2002. This page summarises independent evaluations, case studies and reports, with dates and sources.

Latest evaluation (2025) Talk to our team

Bridgend, Wales: Digital Medicines Dispensers evaluation (2025)

A Bridgend Medicines Optimisation Team project, funded through the SBRI Domiciliary Care Challenge 2024/25 and supported by Life Sciences Hub Wales. 74 people used either a Pivotell Advance (45 people) or one other device. Results below are for the whole project.

267%return on investment in year one, including device, subscription and pharmacy costs

~25 hrsof care a week released by reducing daily care calls for 7 people

83%of family members felt less worried and more supported

251 hrsof pharmacy team time released in 6 months

"Many patients who previously required medication support regained autonomy, reducing reliance on care visits."Bridgend Digital Medicines Dispensers Project Evaluation Report, August 2025

More findings, and what the figures do and don't show

Average age 72; the largest group was aged 80 to 89, and five people were over 90.
Time on the team's caseload fell from 30 to 25 days per patient, the equivalent of about 120 more patients seen a year.
Eight people were moved to carer support earlier because the data showed they needed more help. Two built a routine strong enough that they no longer needed a device.
Hospital data for the group over six months showed fewer admissions, emergency attendances and bed days than the six months before.

There was no control group, and the report notes that changes in hospital use can't be attributed directly to the devices. Figures cover both devices used in the project. Report author: Thomas Sauter, Clinical Lead Pharmacist, Bridgend.

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More evaluations and case studies

2016

Norfolk Medicines Support Service

Using Pivotell since 2006, with more than 500 people supported and over 120 community pharmacies and dispensing surgeries filling dispensers for a council-paid fee. The council estimated social care savings of more than £600,000 a year.

Read the case study

2009 to 2011

West Midlands pilot

The first region-wide pilot of its kind, run by Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands with NHS Midlands and East. Over 250 people took part, and 96% of those who gave feedback said the dispenser reminded them to take their medication.

12-page summary

People's stories

Real experiences from older adults, young adults and families, including people living with dementia, epilepsy, sight loss and learning disabilities.

Read the stories

Hear from people using Pivotell

How councils and NHS services use Pivotell

Through telecare services, with telecare-enabled dispensers linked to an alarm receiving centre
Through medicines optimisation and support teams, after an assessment
With community pharmacies filling trays, sometimes for a commissioned fee (how pharmacy filling works)
With connected models that send alerts to family, carers or care teams (connected care)

Reports to download

West Midlands pilot reports (2009 to 2012)

Automated Pill Dispenser Project: summary report (12 pages)
Full technical report (65 pages)
"The story so far" case study (April 2011)
West Midlands pilot news release
"Helping people manage medication": Worcestershire County Council presentation

These reports are historical and reflect the products and services available at the time.

Planning a pilot or service?

We can share evaluation reports, help you design a pilot, and put you in touch with services already using Pivotell.

Talk to our team Quality and regulatory information

Pivotell dispensers remind people when medication is due and present only the right dose. Results depend on the service they're part of.