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Two pharmacists from Bradford have become the first in the country to be accredited with special interests.
The accreditation process which was locally determined and nationally recognised included a demonstration of skills and competencies in line with the framework in the Department of Health document ‘Implementing Care Closer to Home – providing convenient quality care for patients (a national framework for Pharmacists with Special Interests)’1. This framework provides opportunities for pharmacists to work together with other health professionals and deliver care in an innovative way.
As accredited pharmacists with special interests (PhwSIs), the two Bradford pharmacists will be supplementing their core generalist role by delivering an anticoagulation monitoring service at a weekly clinic in a local G.P surgery, bringing services closer to the patient’s home. Previously patients had to go to hospital to receive this service, some on a weekly basis. They will monitor patients on anticoagulants using a quick finger-prick test which will give instant results.
What is the background to this?
Following the publication of the NHS Plan2 guidance was developed to support the local implementation of GPs with Special Interests (GPwSIs). It became clear that other practitioners could also develop these roles and additional frameworks were published prior to the Department of Health framework ‘Implementing Care Closer to Home – providing convenient quality care for patients (a national framework for Pharmacists with Special Interests)’1. The publication of The White Paper Our Health, our care, our say3 emphasised the move to more specialised services, in a community setting close to where people live.
Summary
- Two Bradford pharmacists have become the first in the country to become accredited with special interests
- They have supplemented their core professional role to provide an anticoagulation monitoring service that meets the needs of patients
- The national framework ‘Implementing Care Closer to Home – providing convenient quality care for patients (a national framework for Pharmacists with Special Interests)’1 provides guidance for pharmacists who wish to be accredited with PhwSI and how local health communities in England can develop, commission and provide convenient quality of care for patients
How does this relate to other publications or evidence?
The guidance framework for PwSIs1 is part of the on-going implementation of A Vision for Pharmacy in the new NHS4 and strengthens the development of the pharmacy workforce including national occupational standards for pharmacy roles, better skill mix and the establishment of consultant pharmacist posts.
So what?
Pharmacists can become accredited to develop their roles to deliver a high–quality service. The service offered in Bradford allows patients to manage their anticoagulation medication in a way that is both more convenient to them and provides their results in a more timely manner.
Action
In the first instance, pharmacists wishing to be accredited with special interests should find out if their local commissioners will be commissioning services through PhwSIs. They will then need to complete the local accreditation process to demonstrate how they can meet the specialist competencies for the role.
References:
1. Implementing care closer to home – providing convenient quality care for patients (a national framework for Pharmacists with Special Interests). Department of Health, September 2006.
2. The NHS Plan; Department of Health 2000
3. Our health, our care, our say; Department of Health 2006
4. AVision for Pharmacy in the new NHS; Department of Health 2003
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