• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Inpatient treatment

B

Bill_St

Well-Known Member
You may not like what I'm going to say @Bill_St so I'll apologize in advance.

Pharmacists play a larger role in patient care here in Canada, far more , I find, than they do in the UK. They specialize in drugs and their interactions. They are very knowledgeable in the drug field. They can prescribe a 30 day emergency prescription when a patient cannot get into see a Dr, if the patient is on repeat prescriptions . For minor ailments they are a blessing. They are not, however, allowed to diagnose.
I actually think pharmacists are an under used resource in patient care. Our system in Canada changed due to severe Dr shortages, and during COVID. Pharmacists were brought on board to help manage the load. I personally think this change is for the better. I certainly don't think they replace Drs, but they do bring a wealth of drug knowledge into patient care.
 
Melgar said:
You may not like what I'm going to say @Bill_St so I'll apologize in advance.

Pharmacists play a larger role in patient care here in Canada, far more , I find, than they do in the UK. They specialize in drugs and their interactions. They are very knowledgeable in the drug field. They can prescribe a 30 day emergency prescription when a patient cannot get into see a Dr, if the patient is on repeat prescriptions . For minor ailments they are a blessing. They are not, however, allowed to diagnose.
I actually think pharmacists are an under used resource in patient care. Our system in Canada changed due to severe Dr shortages, and during COVID. Pharmacists were brought on board to help manage the load. I personally think this change is for the better. I certainly don't think they replace Drs, but they do bring a wealth of drug knowledge into patient care.
Click to expand...
No, I absolutely agree. The U.K. is improving with greater input from pharmacy. I spend some months each year in Spain where pharmacists also have greater authority. Here I can get blood test with results within 1 days, get appointment and prescription filled within 2 days (often 1 day). The only downside is a small payment but I often get medication here, knowing it is cheaper than that charged in the UK Under NHS costings.
 
I have my annual diabetes review on Thursday with the surgery’s pharmacist. I have always had this with a GP or practice nurse before. I’m interested to see how it pans out! My sceptical side thinks it’s because many type 2s following tradition NHS advice, will just get prescribed more and more drugs at each review. With my HbA1c result of 30 from bloods taken last week they may feel somewhat redundant!
 
I’ve always had a medication review every 12 months with a pharmacist for many years, this isn’t anything to do with my diabetic clinic checks, I find them useful as they ask good questions like do I have any side effects, how & when do I take them, how do I feel about taking them etc (my meds aren’t diabetes related)
 
lovinglife said:
I’ve always had a medication review every 12 months with a pharmacist for many years, this isn’t anything to do with my diabetic clinic checks, I find them useful as they ask good questions like do I have any side effects, how & when do I take them, how do I feel about taking them etc (my meds aren’t diabetes related)
Click to expand...
I've had the same for a few years.
Some useful, last years was a total nightmare with the new pharmacist, so not looking forward to my review this year.
 
Regarding the OP reference to pharmacists in hospital wards…
Three weeks ago I was in ICU, following surgery. Prior to admission I had been asked to take my own meds into hospital. On admission I had the pre op checks, one by the pharmacist, who noted all the meds, took them and told me they would follow me through the hospital. She was right. The wards and ICU had visits from the pharmacist, several times a day. She checked with the nurses the meds were administered as prescribed, and added in a few acute meds for the post op management. It seemed much better organised than my previous hospital inpatient experiences. Before being discharged home the meds I had brought with me were packed up and returned to me, and a month supply of newly prescribed meds provided, with a check that I had enough of my regular meds for at least a fortnight.

What impressed me was that this system ensured that patients were well informed, there was no concern about not having enough, correct meds when sent home, but it meant there was no waste, thus saving costs to NHS.

As others have mentioned, pharmacists have a role to play. I see our GP surgery pharmacist more often than any other HCP, at the surgery. Happy with this, as they are very knowledgeable about medications, especially those that are contraindicated for me, and any that shouldn’t be mixed. I also use the local pharmacy for advice for minor ailments. They are very experienced HCPs, and have access to info about all my prescribed meds. So provide excellent care and advice, without the bother of the 8:00am scramble for a surgery appointment.
 
Back
Top