A British report has highlighted the pivotal role community pharmacies can play as part of the primary care team.
NHS England commissioned the report Next steps for integrating primary care, says community pharmacies should be able “to refer [patients] onward directly” to other services, including those for mental health.
The report was commissioned to look into “bringing together previously siloed teams and professionals” in primary care services, ahead of the implementation of integrated care systems on 1 July 2022”.
The report found the wider primary care team could be much more effectively harnessed, specifically the potential to increase the role of community pharmacy and other health services, including in the area of mental health.
The report highlighted cancer services: “Community pharmacy playing a more active role in signposting eligible people to screening and supporting early diagnosis, building on a number of successful pilots such as those from the Accelerate, Coordinate, Evaluate (ACE) program.”
It also singled out positive lifestyle choices: “Eye checks where people are offered brief advice on alcohol and smoking and referred for smoking cessation as appropriate.”
“There is also scope for efficiencies in pharmacies being able to refer onward directly, eg to mental health or other neighbourhood services.”
