The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7425 p535
4 November 2006

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Greater interprofessional co-operation is needed

Insufficient co-operation between health professionals threatens service improvements, the All Party Pharmacy Group warned following last week’s evidence session for its inquiry into the future of pharmacy.

After hearing from the British Medical Association that some GPs were concerned about encroachment on their territory, particularly where potential income was concerned, APPG chairman and GP Howard Stoate (Lab, Dartford) said: “Old fashioned professional territories are changing.”

He added: “The priority for doctors, pharmacists and nurses is to work together in the best interests of patients.

“ Prescribing by pharmacists and nurses is here to stay. Pharmacists are increasingly providing advice and services around minor ailments, public health issues and good lifestyle. All are areas that might traditionally have been exclusively for GPs, but we can deliver more care more quickly and effectively by utilising the expertise of all the members of the health care team.”

For the BMA, Brian Dunn told the inquiry that there was good co-operation between GPs and pharmacists in some areas, but that it was patchy. The BMA wanted to see the relationship developed, but was concerned about competition. Dr Dunn said: “If GPs see money that they reckon to be GMS [general medical services] money being made available to a pharmacist to provide services in competition then I don’t think that will help relationships.”

The BMA was also worried about the workload implications of pharmacy developments. “Pharmacists sometimes get funding for work that impacts on GPs and creates unfunded workload for them,” Dr Dunn complained.

After the hearing, Sandra Gidley (Lib Dem, Romsey) commented: “I am sure the report we publish following this inquiry will call on GPs and pharmacists and their representative bodies, as well as the NHS and the Department of Health, to redouble efforts to achieve closer working relationships between the professions at a local level.”