Funding boost secured for clinical pharmacists in Mid Yorkshire
Trust
Pharmacy managers at Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust have recently secured over £500,000 from the trusts' directors to implement a new medicines management strategy.
The funding will essentially be used to pay for several new pharmacist
and technician posts. Recruitment plans are still being fine-tuned, but
it is likely that teams of clinical pharmacists and technicians will
be formed.
The overall aim of the
strategy is to promote high
quality patient-focused
pharmaceutical care throughout the trust, which covers
Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury Hospitals. More
specific initiatives include involving pharmacists in taking medication
histories, and encouraging self-administration of medicines. There will
also be support for existing programmes such as medicines information
initiatives and the development of a joint formulary with the local primary
care trust.
Robert Swallow, senior
pharmacist for pharmaceutical care at the trust told Hospital Pharmacist
how encouraging medical and nursing staff had been about the strategy
and how implementing the strategy should increase the profile of hospital
pharmacists throughout the trust.
Paul Sandham, principal
pharmacist for clinical
governance, stressed the cost-effectiveness of the strategy, pointing
out that extending the clinical service is expected to produce savings
in the medicines budget such that the scheme should be cost-neutral by
2004.
Further details can be obtained by e-mailing
rob.swallow@panp-tr.northy.nhs.uk or paul.sandham@panp-tr.northy.nhs.uk. |
