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Community pharmacy has Finally, the shift from sickness to
always been the odd man out prevention. Here I think we have
in discussions about healthcare perhaps the strongest claim of any
in this country. While we play a part of the healthcare system to play
vitally important role in ensuring the leading role. By the very nature of
millions of patients throughout our profession, we have the greatest
the UK receive the medication regular exposure to patients, while
they need to manage their there are 6,000 GP surgeries in
conditions, we have never really England, we have nearly double that
been considered a part of the number of community pharmacies.
NHS family and as a result have Each of our widespread network serves
been shut out of conversations a relatively small catchment area
regarding NHS reform. enabling pharmacists to develop a
unique relationship with their patients
Following the Lord Darzi report earlier borne out of constant two-way
this year this Government has set out communication. Due to this privileged
our ‘three big shifts’ that will guide the position, we are naturally suited
NHS reform agenda and I see a clear amongst all healthcare professionals
role for pharmacy in each of those to play the leading role in the
areas.
prevention agenda - providing advice
First, the shift from hospital to and early intervention to effectively
community. Pharmacy First was a good manage our patients’ conditions.
first step into a new role for community
pharmacy but with only 7 eligible What lessons will this mean
conditions we lag far behind Scotland, in practice for pharmacists?
or even Wales, and the priority must be My two decades working on the ground
expanding what services pharmacies in community pharmacy showed me
can provide. By taking on a greater role just how passionate and hardworking
in the healthcare system we can relieve those working in our profession can be.
pressure off overwhelmed hospitals But it also showed me that too often
and strained GPs and finally enable we can get stuck in our ways. Common
our highly educated, but underutilised, practices in pharmacy haven’t
workforce to play an equal role in the changed significantly for decades and
healthcare system. However, with we must be willing to step out of our
dispensing volumes ever growing and comfort zone and embrace change if
with a shrinking workforce due to a we are to have a future.
frozen funding settlement, pharmacy
can only provide these additional But what lessons will this
services if we first create additional mean in practice for the
capacity in the system. Government too?
Secondly, the shift from analogue It will mean finally giving pharmacy
to digital. While there are many a seat at the table and listening to
ways pharmacy can implement its voice. As I hope I have outlined
the digitalisation & modernisation above, pharmacy can be at the heart
agenda, Hub and Spoke must be of the NHS reform agenda; driving it
at the top of our priority list. As forward and ensuring its success, but
previously mentioned, in services only if it is provided with a fair funding
pharmacy has a clear future role to framework that not only temporarily
play in the healthcare system but halts its decline but enables it to play a
we can only realise that future if we greater role in the healthcare system.
first create additional capacity. By
finally implementing Hub and Spoke
Model One, we can unlock efficiencies
and free up time previously spent
dispensing and look towards the
delivery of clinical services under an
expanded Pharmacy First scheme.
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P4403.59-V61_Numark Pharmacy Magazine Mar 25.indd 23 07/02/2025 11:51:07
