Glasgow pharmacists to tackle health inequalities
Re-establishing regular contact with health services is a key aim
of the project |
Pharmacists in Glasgow are to play a key role in the Scottish Executive’s “Prevention
2010” initiative that aims to tackle health inequalities.
Richard Lowrie, community pharmacy clinical services lead, NHS Greater
Glasgow and Clyde, told The Journal that the Glasgow project will help
people in deprived areas make better use of primary care services. Pharmacists
will focus on prescription collection, supporting adherence, and referral
to health and social care agencies.
The project will involve up to 60 pharmacies and 18 GP surgeries in two
areas of the city. “The GP practices will identify patients aged
45–65 years with cardiovascular disease who are poor attenders
or receiving polypharmacy. They will be referred to a community pharmacist
of their choice who will promote adherence using an evidence-based approach,” explained
Mr Lowrie. “This will involve discussing what medicines have been
prescribed and why. It is not a clinical review but about supporting
adherence, although if any clinical issues are identified these will
be referred to the GP. The aim is to get patients back into regular contact
with the health service and help them take their prescribed medicines.”
Pharmacists will be provided with details of the patient’s clinical
history and repeat medicines. Patients will be seen by a pharmacist every
two months, up to 12 times over the two-year initiative. It is expected
that 1,200 to 1,500 patients will use the service.
There are five Prevention 2010 sites across Scotland. The Glasgow project
has been awarded two-year funding and will start within the next month.
Exactly how much will be paid per pharmacist consultation is being finalised.
Another part of the project is an extension to the existing pharmacy-based
smoking cessation service. Liz Grant, public health pharmacist, NHS Greater
Glasgow and Clyde, explained that pharmacists and assistants will receive
behavioural change training. “Selected pharmacies will be able
to supply combination nicotine replacement therapy under agreed criteria,
and to offer smoking cessation support to housebound patients,” she
added. |
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