Three GP practices in Bristol have been praised for an innovative project that helps patients get routine care support from their local pharmacist when a GP consultation is not required.
Armada Family Practice in Whitchurch, Birchwood Medical Practice in Brislington and Concord Medical Centre in Little Stoke each received an award from Avon Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) for their outstanding collaborative working.
The awards were given to the practices for
their work in getting a community pharmacist consultation service up and
running while also encouraging other practices to get involved.
More
than 20 GP surgeries across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
are part of the community pharmacy consultation service with more practices and
associated pharmacies getting on board each week.
Julie Welch, Managing
Partner at Armada Family Practice, which received an award, said:
We are delighted to have been recognised for our collaborative working. We’ve really enjoyed setting up the service and helping other practices get involved too.
The service is based on a referral from a GP practice to a same-day consultation with a community pharmacist. This means patients who have a minor illness or need an urgent supply of medicine can see a community pharmacist instead of having to wait for a GP appointment. This then frees up GP appointments for other patients.
Richard Brown, Chief Officer at Avon LPC, added:
It’s great to recognise the outstanding collaborative working of practices across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It shows how GPs and pharmacies are working together to provide a more robust primary care system.
Dr Martin Jones, Local GP and Medical Director at the CCG said:
This demonstrates the great work that is happening in primary care across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Using community pharmacists for minor ailments and conditions will also help to relieve pressure on the wider healthcare system. They are our healthcare experts on the high street and many have confidential consulting rooms. There are always some open late and over the weekends too.
More information about pharmacies can be found on the NHS pharmacy page.