Taking health care into black and minority communities

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The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7404 p680-682
10 June 2006

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Original papers

Taking health care into black and minority communities — a pharmacist-led initiative

By Clair Huckerby, Judith Hesslewood and Parbir Jagpal

Clair Huckerby, BPharm, MRPharmS, is pharmaceutical adviser at Dudley Beacon and Castle Primary Care Trust

Judith Hesslewood, BPharm, MRPharmS, is prescribing adviser at Dudley South PCT

Parbir Jagpal, MSc, MRPharmS, is a practice-based pharmacist at Dudley Beacon and Castle PCT

Correspondence to: Clair Huckerby, Dudley Beacon and Castle PCT, St John’s House, 2 Union Street, Dudley DY1 2PP

Abstract

Aim
To investigate the current level of patient awareness and interest in health care in black and minority ethnic communities. To reduce language and cultural barriers between patients and health care professionals.

Method
Local community groups interested in information and advice sessions were contacted using primary care trust resources. A generic presentation providing core information was developed. Each presentation was then tailored according to the needs of each community group.The session was delivered in the patients’ native language, using the linguistic skills of the prescribing team. Each session was followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions and have an individual medication review, which included blood pressure measurement.

Subjects and setting
Community groups in the Dudley Beacon and Castle Primary Care Trust and adjoining Dudley South PCT.

Outcome measures
Evaluation forms in English, including pictograms were used and verbal and written feedback was taken after the sessions.

Results
There was a good level of attendance at all sessions and participants were interested in their conditions, medicines and healthy lifestyles. Participants wanted more information and to play a more active role in their health care. Speaking to patients in their own languages in their community setting broke down many barriers. Limited success was obtained with the evaluation forms.

Conclusions
Taking health care into the community has illustrated that patients are interested in their own health and willing to act upon information and advice that they may not have otherwise had access to. Pharmacists can contribute towards reducing health inequalities within the community.