Independent prescribers help treat more patients closer to home

More patients can receive advice and treatment closer to home as community pharmacists upskill to become independent prescribers.

The service allows independent prescribers to give advice, make referrals and prescribe medication for a variety of ailments.

It can help to relieve pressures on GP practices, with the qualified pharmacists assessing appropriate patients without the need for an appointment.

Currently, the service is developing with 35 independent prescribers in Swansea Bay, so patients are advised to contact their local pharmacy to ask if it is available to them.

Community pharmacists must complete an accredited course to qualify as an independent prescriber.

Jonathan and Stacey Rees (pictured) are independent prescribers who run Penclawdd Pharmacy and Pontardawe Pharmacy.

They have recently taken over at Scurlage Pharmacy, in Gower, helping to further increase access to independent prescribers – with the next closest being 10 miles away in Penclawdd.

“Jonathan and I both cover the same areas of expertise which are the common clinical ailments,” Stacey said.

“We can prescribe medication for chest, ear or throat infections, urinary tract infections, minor flare-ups of eczema, among other minor infections.

“We can provide patients with acute courses of treatment without the need for them to see a GP or make an appointment.

“It is a really good service and it just makes it so much easier for people to come in and access care."

Appointments to see an independent prescriber aren’t essential but depending on availability, patients may be asked to call back at a more appropriate time. Other community pharmacies may require an appointment.

The independent prescriber will carry out a consultation in a private room where they will discuss the patient’s symptoms.

They will then decide whether it’s best to offer self-care advice, make a referral to a GP or another healthcare professional or provide treatment.

Stacey added: “Some people can be a bit nervous to make a GP appointment as they don’t want to feel like they may be wasting GP time.

“We have a team of pharmacists which allows Jonathan and I more time to see and treat patients.

“If we’re not able to help, we can refer them to a doctor instead.

“We find that the independent prescribing service helps to free up some GP time so they can concentrate on seeing and treating patients only they can see.

“It is helping to increase access to care for patients, while also supporting GP practices.”

Dr Nicola Jones is a GP at Gower Medical Practice alongside the pharmacy, as well as the Bay Health Local Cluster Collaborative (LCC) lead.

She said: “I am delighted that Jonathan and Stacey have taken over Scurlage Pharmacy.

“They already have a close working relationship with our practice and those patients who use their pharmacy in Penclawdd.

“Having such experienced independent prescribers in the heart of our community will help more of our patients receive the care they need closer to home at a time that suits them.

“Prescribing pharmacists provide a vital service to relieve the pressures on general practice and add their own expertise to the care of our patients.”