First pharmacists with special interests accredited in anticoagulation
Linda Hirst (left) and Marta Hildebrandt discuss the anticoagulation
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Two pharmacists in Bradford have become the first to qualify as pharmacists
with special interests (PhwSIs) in England, it was announced this week.
Community pharmacist Linda Hirst and locum pharmacist Marta Hildebrandt
together run a weekly anticoagulation monitoring clinic at Wilsden Surgery.
Patients who would usually have been monitored in a hospital clinic are
now seen by the pharmacists instead in their local surgery nearer to
home.
Ms Hirst said: “We are both pleased to have become accredited.
It is a step forward, bringing care closer to home and increasing patient
convenience.”
Rachel Urban, Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust community
pharmacy development and clinical governance pharmacist, said the PhwSIs
framework gives PCTs a route to
develop their pharmacy workforce. The PCT now plans to develop other
PhwSIs in substance misuse, sexual health and diabetes, she said.
Beth Taylor, national development lead, pharmacists with special interests,
NHS Primary Care Contracting, said: “This is excellent news for
pharmacy and comes at an exciting time for the profession. As more specialist
care moves to primary care settings, many other PCTs in England are also
considering how PhwSIs could contribute to the new patient pathways that
are being developed.”
The announcement was welcomed by England’s chief pharmaceutical
officer Keith Ridge, who said he looked forward to seeing many more PhwSIs.
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