Pilot of unscheduled care service launched
Community pharmacists in Dumfries began offering a new out-of-hours service this week that aims to reduce pressure on other parts of the NHS.
Mark Blount, secretary of Dumfries and Galloway Local Contractors’ Committee,
explained: “The local health board approached the contractors’ committee
and asked if we could put together a late-night rota. This was because
NHS24 and the local hospital’s accident and emergency department
had noticed increased activity.”
One reason for the increased activity was people forgetting to collect
medicines for chronic conditions. So, for the next 12 weeks, one of six
pharmacies in Dumfries taking part in the pilot will be open between
6pm and 9pm every evening, with the pharmacies taking turns to open for
a week at a time.
“Now that we have the unscheduled care patient group direction
and the minor ailment service, there is more pharmacists can do to help
patients
who have forgotten their medicines,” commented Mr Blount.
“In cities, pharmacies are open later but Dumfries is a rural community
so this service will improve public access to pharmaceutical services,” he
added.
Funding for the service comes from NHS Dumfries and Galloway, with participating
pharmacies being paid £50 per hour to open. The service will be
evaluated at the end of the 12-week pilot. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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