Pharmacists could have a bigger role in making home visits to support people
caring for relatives, the pharmacist Member of the Scottish Parliament said
during a debate on public health on September 21.
Mr David Davidson (Con, North-east Scotland) said that carer and respite organisations
were concerned about professional support for carers. They felt that carers
did not have enough access to support if they were looking after someone who
was receiving a wide range of medicines. Carers needed home visits from pharmacists
who would be able to talk them through any problems and who would later be available
at the end of a telephone.
Clinical pharmacists did excellent work in hospitals and clinics, Mr Davidson
said, but they should also be made available to do home visits in the community.
Part of the problem was manpower. There was space for many more pharmacists
to be used in the community as part of the primary health care team and Scotland
could take a lead on this. He urged the Scottish Health Minister (Ms Susan Deacon)
to discuss the matter with the relevant professional and educational authorities.