Portsmouth pharmacies praised as focus on neighbourhood health continues across Hampshire
Portsmouth pharmacy praised for “strengthening” relationship between pharmacy and GP
As the NHS continues to focus on care delivered in neighbourhood settings rather than hospitals a Portsmouth pharmacy has been praised for its work in the community.
Portsmouth would have its own areas in addition to the 24 already earmarked across the county with Copnor Pharmacy praised for showcasing how pharmacies can play a central role in the new structure.
A NHS Hampshire & Isle of Wight spokesperson said: “The pharmacy has become a trusted frontline service, delivering vaccines and enthusiastically embracing new NHS services to improve the support available for residents. Strong collaboration with the Derby Road Group Practice, which has around 17,000 patients, has helped position Copnor Pharmacy as a key partner in the community.
“Rather than increasing headcount, the pharmacy has been focussing on upskilling its existing workforce - technicians and pharmacy staff can now support with things like blood pressure checks, contraception advice and Pharmacy First consultations, allowing pharmacists to concentrate on clinical assessments. The addition of a second consultation room also allows for multiple services to run at the same time.
“This approach has strengthened the relationship between community pharmacy and general practice, improving patients’ access to care while helping reduce pressure on GP services.”
An increase in the role that pharmacies play in health care services is just one of the focusses of the neighbourhood health scheme. New Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT) have been created which are made up of a range of health and care professionals including GPs, community nurses, mental health practitioners and more.
One such team is already supporting vulnerable patients in Portsmouth.
Emma Mclocklan, business manager at Brunel PCN in Portsmouth, said: “The goal of our INT is to offer more person-centred care out in the community which is ultimately improving the patient experience and avoiding admissions to hospital. The team has grown to include nurses, care coordinators, social prescribers, GP assistants and others.
“Their focus is on three priority groups - supporting our most vulnerable and frail patients, palliative and cancer-care patients, and young adults. We also have a team dedicated to caring for homeless and people that rough sleeping across the whole of Portsmouth.”
The move to neighbourhood health is still in its infancy with work ongoing to help define the borders of where these areas will be. The proposed neighbourhoods will then be confirmed through local Health and Wellbeing Boards.
James Roach, Director of Primary Care and Local Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “Neighbourhood health is a huge opportunity for us to build on the work already taking place to improve people’s access to care and support for our most vulnerable patients more effectively. As demand for health and care services continues to grow, it is now vital that we work collaboratively and bring care closer to home.
“As well as improving access, we are strengthening our focus on prevention, helping people stay well for longer and shifting our efforts from treating sickness to preventing it. Together we want to renew our approach to care in community settings and further reduce healthcare inequalities and disparities
“Neighbourhood health is truly everyone’s business and we are incredibly proud of the progress being made and the commitment our teams show every day to meeting the needs of our communities. We would also like to thank our patients for willing to engage with new services.”