Patients and staff at a Brampton pharmacy are reaping the benefits of a speedy robotic dispenser.

Jobson's Pharmacy has recently undergone a six-figure redevelopment, which included the arrival of the new technology - thought to be the first of its kind in the Carlisle area.

Owner Phil Jobson said: "It works superbly. It has massively reduced the time it takes to dispense medicines and the time it takes to put orders away.

"It does stock retention and things like expiry dates and cleaning are almost eliminated.

"It is a massive benefit to us."

The chemist, in Market Place, has been using it's new dispenser - named Steve - for three weeks.

Mr Jobson is already analysing how much more efficient the service has become.

Where before it might take up to two minutes to dispenser a single item, the robot is now able to dispense multiple items in as little as 90 seconds. One item takes about 50 seconds to dispense.

Putting an order away used to take staff about two hours. That has been reduced to as little as 10 minutes.

Mr Jobson also explained how errors had been eliminated. "It just streamlines the whole process," he said.

The robot is a 3m high cabinet, measuring 5 metres in length, with internal glass shelves. A picking arm selects medicine packs and delivers them to output points at the dispensing bench.

Medicine deliveries in complete packs are simply poured into the device. A lifting arm and barcode scanners ensure complete accuracy.

"It's stock is stored chaotically," Mr Jobson explained. "The robot selecting the best location on the basis of speed of delivery to the output point and maximising storage space.

"The huge benefits this development is having on the pharmacy will allow the pharmacist and pharmacy technicians more time to concentrate on patient’s needs."

Since Mr Jobson bought the chemist in 2004 the number of items prescribed have soared and in the last 13 years he said there has been an increase in prescription item numbers by 275 per cent.

While the supply of medicines remains a pivotal role, the increase in the number of items and other services - including medication reviews, medicine monitoring, health checks and flu vaccination - means improving efficiency is more important than ever.

Mr Jobson believed it was "crucial" to invest in a new way of working for the future of the town and his patients.

Over the last six months the pharmacy has undergone significant building work, doubling the size of the dispensary, into what was a two storey 18th Century cottage, to make way for the high-tec dispenser.

The stone work has been preserved and improved, including a 1st floor fireplace of historic interest.

Pharmacy automation is common in Denmark and Germany, where about 75 per cent of community pharmacies are on board. In the UK only around 200 have been installed across the country and Mr Jobson's BD Rowa Vmax robot is believed to by the first in Cumbria.

It's benefits were showcased to pharmacists, councillors and contractors at an open evening on Thursday.