Practice (based) Pharmacists and Peer Group
What is a Practice Pharmacist?
Te Whatu Ora have used the term ‘practice pharmacist’ to describe a clinically focussed role within the general practice setting.
What do Practice Pharmacists do?
Pharmacists are increasingly being integrated into general practice to provide a range of activities within their scope of practice.
In Waitaha, involving pharmacists in general practice has evolved organically as practices have sought to reduce GPs workload, manage workforce shortages and improve patient care.
We know of a few community pharmacists who spend a few hours a week with their nearby practice providing a range of services based on the needs of the practice, population and the hours available.
Find out more about these roles in the Kete below
How many Practice Pharmacists are there?
As of July 2023, pharmacists were an integrated part of at least 16 general practice teams around Waitaha, Canterbury.
Kete of Resources for integrating pharmacists into general practice:
Background
CCPG has worked with the local Primary Care Taskforce Group and practice based pharmacists (Jo Comper, Loren Vincent and Aynsley Macleod) to develop a Kete of Resources for integrating pharmacists into general practice.
Who is the Kete for?
The Kete is aimed at General Practices wanting to involve a pharmacist in their delivery of services to improve patient care.
Community pharmacies may find it interesting to explore the Kete to see what you could do to support your local general practice, within your scope of practice.
What information is in the Kete?
The Kete includes details about what services a pharmacist can provide practices, benefits, considerations, employment models, templates and case study videos featuring GPs and pharmacists.
Access to more information about the Kete on the Health Pathways website here (Resources to Support Capacity Pressures in Primary Care).
Please click here to read a media release on the launch of the Kete.
CCPG Practice Pharmacist Peer Group
CCPG coordinates and facilitates a Peer Group of pharmacists working in Practice based setting roles. If you would like to join the peer group zoom sessions, please email admin@ccpg.org.nz and we will get you connected.
Other CCPG support
CCPG are also exploring other ways to support community pharmacies that would like to work with their local practices in this way. If you would like to have an informal conversation with a fellow community pharmacy doing this kind of work please email admin@ccpg.org.nz and we will get you connected.
What are Comprehensive Primary Care Teams?
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand created new opportunities for primary health care in our communities through funding additional roles. These teams are to improve access to health care in our communities and promote better health and wellbeing.
Alongside, General Practices the team includes kaiāwhina, physiotherapists, pharmacists, care coordinators and in some rural areas, paramedics.
Research shows that expanding the skill mix available to primary care teams increases community access and improves equity outcomes. These teams have a priority focus on Māori, Pacific and rural people.
Activities of a pharmacist as part of the comprehensive care team may include:
Reviewing medicines prescribed for a person and monitoring the impacts and side effects to support the prescriber.
Provide education and advice about medicines, including support for people taking them, especially when the medicine could have a higher risk of side effects.
Ensure that when people change care settings, all parties are clear on the current medicines list.
More information is available here