Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

The Pharmacy Service (consisting of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians) aims to support patients to gain the maximum benefit from their prescribed medication and to provide patients with advice about their medication. Working closely with the patient’s General Practitioner (GP), the pharmacy team will optimise and review the patient’s medicines, ensuring that the patient is taking medication safely and appropriately, and that their health and the medication is being monitored.

Clinical Pharmacists primarily do this by conducting in-depth structured medication reviews of those patients who may be having problems with their medication or are taking large numbers of different medicines (polypharmacy). When issues are highlighted, particularly those pertaining to safety, the team will discuss this with the patient and agree a plan of how to manage the problem. These appointments are strictly used to discuss medications and are essential for medications to be reauthorised.

Some patients may require blood tests and/or blood pressure readings to assess the safety and effectiveness of the medication.

In addition to supporting patients directly, the Pharmacy Service also provides medication information and advice to all primary healthcare staff including GPs, nurses, and administration staff in practices.

Patients may be referred to the service by their GP, practice staff, or patients may refer themselves if they have a concern about their medication.