The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7497 p438
12 April 2008

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• White paper
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• Minor ailment scheme
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• Hospital pharmacy
• Procurement
• Euthanasia
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• The Society (2)

Letters to the Editor

Hospital pharmacy

Work together to raise standards

From Mr S. J. May, MRPharmS, and Mrs C. Quinn, MRPharmS

We agree with the concerns raised by Llewellyn Baker about the often poor quality of communication between primary and secondary care at both hospital admission and discharge (PJ, 8 March 2008, p275). He rightly states that many hospitals have taken significant steps to improve discharge communication.

Locally, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has developed an electronic discharge communication system that ensures legibility and enforces provision of some important information, such as medication changes and allergies. Feedback from both secondary and primary care has been extremely positive.

We have audited notes accompanying patients on admission to hospital from primary care and these, disappointingly, showed poor adherence to our expected standards. Working with primary care colleagues in North Nottinghamshire we have developed a proforma for completion by the admitting GP that will, likewise, help improve clarity and accuracy of information presented on admission to hospital.

This can be generated electronically from the practice’s computer system or paper copies can be completed by hand in the case of domiciliary visits. The new system is to be piloted in the near future.

Partnership working between primary and secondary care colleagues is essential to enable such improvements for the benefit of patients. We are sure similar strategies have taken place elsewhere in the UK; but if motivation is required, our early experience shows this initiative is helping to break down some of the barriers to effective communication across the interface, which can only have positive benefits for patient care.

Steve May
Chief Pharmacist,
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cathy Quinn
Nottinghamshire Teaching Primary Care Trust

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