Clinical Pharmacy Team

 

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Improving patient outcomes in Haringey by successfully embedding Clinical Pharmacy expertise into the primary care workforce 

The Haringey GP Federation’s Clinical Pharmacy Team was formed in 2018 with just two Senior Clinical Pharmacists. Since then, the team has successfully demonstrated its value to practices and patients alike and has grown in response to demand. Today, a team of more than 40 works across Haringey’s seven Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and 30+ GP practices as part of a multi-disciplinary team. 

image depicting clinical pharmacists

Consisting of Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Senior Clinical Pharmacists and led by a Lead Clinical Pharmacist, the team’s primary goal is to improve the health of Haringey’s patients. 

The team undertakes a range of patient-focussed activities – including long-term condition management, medication reviews, monitoring of high-risk medication and improving prescribing safety. Patients can have a consultation with a Clinical Pharmacist to discuss their medication and how it relates to their health condition.

 

Results and Impact

“The consultation with my pharmacist boosted my confidence about how I can and should handle my health and medication. It motivated me into continuing to take responsibility and not drift into bad habits. She did it in a professional manner and all with such kindness” - Patient

  • Recruitment and training of pharmacy staff to support local practices.
  • Reduction of GP workloads through streamlined repeat prescribing processes.
  • Improved prescribing practices and prescribing safety quality indicators
  • The team increased appropriate prescribing of anticoagulation. Every 18 months at least 5 patients will be prevented from suffering a stroke for the next 10 years.
  • 97% of patients extremely likely to recommend service to family and friends
  • 100% of patients say their understanding of medicines has improved since review with pharmacists
 

Case Study: Improving Outcomes by Sharing Learning

The Clinical Pharmacy team has sought to share its experience through clinical projects with proven positive patient outcomes. 

In 2020/21 Haringey’s Clinical Pharmacy team led a borough-wide project to identify and appropriately manage patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). 

Previously Haringey had been one of the poorest performing areas for patients with AF prescribed anticoagulation.  As a result of the Haringey Federation’s involvement, Haringey saw the highest percentage improvement of all the North Central London boroughs. Here, the 6% increase achieved by the team means that every 18 months in the next 10 years, five strokes will be prevented. The success of the project will benefit patients year-on-year.

 

Recognition

As a result of its successful integration of Clinical Pharmacists into the borough’s primary care networks, Haringey’s Clinical Pharmacy Team is deservingly recognised as a pioneering example of the NHS’s Long Term Plan Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme in action.

In 2021, they achieved well deserved recognition at the prestigious HSJ Awards which are an esteemed accolade of healthcare service excellence in the UK and provide a well-deserved thanks to the sector.

Lead Clinical Pharmacist Jalak Shukla (Lead Clinical Pharmacist) was named HSJ “Clinical Leader of the Year” Awards 2020. The team also made the final shortlist in the “Workforce Initiative of the Year” category.