Clinical Pharmacy Team
Clinical pharmacists are increasingly working as part of general practice teams. They are highly qualified experts in medicines and can help people in a range of ways. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews (SMR) for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach.
A SMR is a review of all your medications, making sure that you get the most safe and effective treatment available without affecting the quality of your care. Together we will look at:
- What medicines you are currently taking, what your medicines are prescribed for and any questions you might have about them
- How well your medicines are working for you and if you still benefit from them
- Any medication related problems and side effects that you might experience
- Any medication you might have bought (including herbal remedies) in addition to your current prescription
- Reviewing any blood tests or other tests you might have recently had
- Any concerns you might have regarding your medication
Structured Medication Reviews are designed to be a comprehensive and clinical review of a patient’s medicines and detailed aspects of their health and will take between 15 – 30 minutes depending on how many medications you are taking. Their purpose is to help you get the best from your medication.
Having clinical pharmacists in GP practices means that GPs can focus their skills where they are most needed, for example on diagnosing and treating patients with more complex conditions.
If you would like to find out more about this service being provided in your PCN, please contact your local practice.
Further details on Clinical Pharmacists can be found on the NHS England website here.
