Diagnostic testing to be piloted in Manchester pharmacies
A pharmacy-based diagnostic service is to be piloted in 22 community pharmacies by Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority later this year. Training for pharmacy staff has now begun.
Patients diagnosed with diabetes or coronary heart disease will have
the choice of continueing to use existing services, or of accessing new
services offered by the pilot through participating pharmacies.
The 22 pharmacies taking part in the Department of Health initiative
were selected from four Greater Manchester primary care trusts (Salford,
Stockport, Oldham, Ashton Leigh & Wigan) and patient recruitment
is expected to start from early September.
In advance of the launch of the pilot, Greater Manchester SHA commissioned
Pharmacy Alliance, UniChem’s professional services division, to
develop a programme for the service, including a training programme for
pharmacists and their staff.
Mark Stephenson, UniChem’s marketing director, commented that there
was a whole host of new opportunities for pharmacists, particularly in
the provision of patient-focused services, through which revenue can
be generated. “This
is a groundbreaking project which will demonstrate in practical terms
the way in which community pharmacy and local health organisations can
work together to offer effective patient care.” |
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