Funding for pharmacists in GP surgeries

NHS England has announced (7 July) a new £15m scheme to fund, recruit and employ clinical pharmacists in GP surgeries over 3 years. The pharmacists will be employed directly by the general practice to help patients, while also easing GP workload and improving communication between general practice, hospitals and community pharmacists.

Work that a clinical pharmacist may do in a GP practice could include:

• Providing clinical advice and expertise on treatments.
• Developing bespoke medicine plans for individual patients.
• Establishing ongoing professional relationships with individual patients
• Assisting with communication across a patient’s care pathway, including with GPs, hospitals and social care.
• Monitoring patients with complex long term conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.
• Managing repeat prescription requests.
• Increasing the uptake of new medicines.
• Managing medicines shortages by suggesting suitable alternatives where appropriate.
• Supporting innovation and clinical research where appropriate.
• Mentoring newer pharmacists.

The application deadline of is 5pm on Thursday 17 September 2015.

Further information and application pack are available here.