Transforming Community Healthcare with Pharmacy First.

Introduction: In an effort to provide quicker, more accessible healthcare solutions, pharmacists are revolutionising community healthcare through the Pharmacy First initiative. By prioritising patient care and offering immediate consultations for minor ailments, this initiative aims to alleviate pressure on GP surgeries and ensure patients receive timely and effective treatments. Howard Root a Pharmacist at C&H Barton Pharmacy and Travel Clinic in Barton -Le-Clay provides an overview of their Pharmacy First consultation process. The process may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.

Initial Assessment: Upon entering the pharmacy, counter staff are trained to identify potential candidates for a Pharmacy First consultation. If a patient appears eligible, they are asked to complete a brief questionnaire. This initial step is designed to streamline the process and ensure patients receive the most appropriate care.

Questionnaire Process: To determine eligibility for the Pharmacy First service, patients undergo a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire asks about the patient’s age, specific symptoms (with tick boxes for various symptoms), and the duration of these symptoms. Each of the seven Pharmacy First services offers a tailored questionnaire to address the specific health issue, ensuring that patients receive accurate advice and treatment.

The Pharmacist Consultation: Patients are invited into a private consultation room by the pharmacist, with the option of a chaperone. The pharmacist first checks for any obvious exclusions from the service, providing an explanation if the patient doesn’t meet the criteria and assisting them in obtaining the appropriate treatment.

For instance, in the case of urinary tract infections (UTIs), the Pharmacy First service is available to women aged 16-64 only. Men are also excluded from this service. If a patient falls outside this age range, she will be advised to see a doctor, as treatments for cystitis are not licensed for their age. If the symptoms are recent, patients are advised to try self-care first, such as using cystitis sachets and increasing fluid intake and pain relief. This often resolves mild urinary tract infections, preventing unnecessary antibiotic use.

Detailed Assessment: If the patient meets the initial inclusion criteria (aged 16-64 with symptoms for three days or longer), the pharmacist conducts a more detailed assessment of the condition. They inquire about symptoms such as pain during urination, frequent need to urinate, strong urge to urinate even with no urine produced, blood in the urine, or cloudy urine. If the patient exhibits three or more of these symptoms, they are eligible for antibiotic treatment.

The pharmacist also checks for signs of a more serious infection, asking about severe back or abdominal pain, general illness, shivering, fever, vomiting, etc. If these symptoms are present, a doctor’s appointment is necessary. Additionally, the pharmacist considers any other medications the patient is on or any known allergies, as these factors could influence the treatment choice.

Prescription and Advice: If eligible, the pharmacist will supply antibiotics for the patient, with the usual prescription charge applying (£9.90 at present), or free if the patient is exempt. The pharmacist advises on how to take the antibiotics and offers follow-up advice, such as what to do if symptoms return after the antibiotic course and how to prevent further infections.

Conclusion: The Pharmacy First initiative provides quick, efficient, and accessible care for minor ailments. By reducing the burden on GP surgeries and offering immediate consultations, the initiative ensures patients receive the care they need in a timely manner, ultimately enhancing overall community health.