NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF


ROLE OF LOCAL GPS SET TO CHANGE


The role of general practice in the Scottish health service is set for a significant shakeup, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.


Over the next two years, ten health centres across the country will form ‘community care teams’ and test different ways of delivering healthcare including:


• Local surgeries working together for faster appointments


• GPs and health professionals – such as physiotherapists - working together in multidisciplinary teams so that patients see the right professional quickly


• Local centres providing treatments which patients currently have to travel to hospital to receive – including short stay in-patient beds for assessment and treatment.


Two of the test sites will trial a new type of doctor to head up the multidisciplinary teams – and a small number of GPs will have the opportunity to receive an additional year of training to give them the skills to take on the new role and work across primary and acute care. Nurses and other health professionals will also have the chance to develop new skills as part of the plans.


The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met with patients and GPs at Wester Hailes health centre which is part of a group of seven GPs across Edinburgh working together. They have also linked up with other healthcare providers to work more closely with the local community and tackle the underlying causes of health inequality – such as substance abuse, mental health issues, employability and social isolation.


Ms Sturgeon said, “We have already taken steps to integrate health and social care and now transforming our GP services and local health centres is the next step. I can confirm that ten test sites will run over the next two years so we can see the most effective way to introduce these new ways of delivering community based healthcare across Scotland.”


6 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST Shona Robison, Health Secretary


Following the success of an 18-month pilot, Scottish pharmacists have been commissioned to provide a gluten-free service by the Government.


The trial received "overwhelming support" from patients, pharmacists and GPs. The service allows eligible patients to register with a community pharmacy of their choice and collect


Gluten free pilot extended across Pharmacy


their repeat prescriptions for gluten free food supplements directly from the pharmacist, rather than having to request individual prescriptions from their GP.


To be eligible, patients must have a clinically confirmed diagnosis of coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, live in Scotland and be registered as an NHS patient with a GP practice.


In Scotland, supported by Coeliac UK, prescribers are recommended to only prescribe staple foods such as bread, flour, pasta and cereal.


The review of the 18 month pilot found strong support for the continuation of the service. In response to the review survey, 93% of patients, 92% of community pharmacists and 98% of GPs who took part agreed that the trial should


continue as a permanent service.


During the pilot, 82% of patients switched from getting their prescription from a GP to their community pharmacy. 85% of GPs responding to the survey said that the Gluten-Free Food Service had reduced their workload.


Health Secretary Shona Robison said she was pleased to confirm the news. “There are around 5,000 patients in Scotland who will benefit from these changes - helping those who have a clinical need for a gluten- free diet to have greater control and more flexibility in managing their condition,” she said.


“This national service is the first of its kind in the UK and, as the review has shown, it is a system that is welcomed by patients, GPs and pharmacists, alike.”


CPS HEARD BY HEALTH COMMITTEE ON HEALTH BILL


Community Pharmacy Scotland recently appeared in front of the Health & Sport Committee to give their official response to the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc, and Care)(Scotland) Bill.


The Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc, and Care)(Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 4 June 2015 by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.


Policy and Development Pharmacist with CPS Mark Feeny began addressing the Committee in response to a question by Malcolm Chisholm MSP for Edinburgh Northern & Leith who asked, “One of the proposals in the bill is that e-cigarette retailers will need to be on the tobacco retailers register. However, that proposal has been objected to by, among others, Community Pharmacy Scotland, which says: “The stigma of having to be on the tobacco retailers’ register will likely mean that many community pharmacies will choose not to supply” nicotine vapour products.


“I am quite interested in the general role of community pharmacies in relation to this, but my specific question is whether that problem would be avoided if there were a


separate register for people who dispense e-cigarettes. Would that get round the problem, or would Community Pharmacy Scotland still object?”


Mark replied, “The first thing to say is that we have not given any specific guidance on the products and it is up to our members to use their professional judgment. The available evidence means that one could make a case to supply them or not to supply them. There is different evidence from different reputable sources.


“As we stated in our evidence, the stigma of being linked to a tobacco register would mean that many of our members would choose not to supply the products because tobacco in general is incompatible with health care services. There is a need for some form of controls, but community pharmacies are already regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council according to strict standards, as are pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. It would be up to the individual members to decide whether to register on a separate register for NVPs, but it would certainly be a positive step away from the tobacco register.”


Mark continued, “The tobacco strategy is challenging and we need to find novel ways to reach the 5% target by 2034. Evidence suggests that the best chance of quitting smoking is by using an NRT product. That could soon also involve an NVP and behavioural support, and the NHS has provided that for some years, with community pharmacy being the main supplier.


“There is still a huge role for that type of service. Those of our members who are choosing to stock these products in their community pharmacies are doing that so that they can start a conversation with someone and explain to them the pros and cons of a licensed NRT product—potentially an electronic cigarette if the patient wants to go down that road.


“There is still a huge role for that type of service, including behavioural support. If a patient chooses to purchase an e-cigarette, they should still be able to access NHS behavioural support services. There is a big public health prize, but we need to be careful that we maximise that opportunity without exposing young people or non-smokers to these products."


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