Deprescribing in my opinion can be more important than the act of prescribing but what does this involve? Deprescribing is a term first used in 2003 and is defined by deprescribing.org as ‘planned and supervised process of dose reduction or stopping of medication that might be causing harm or no longer be of benefit’. Deprescribing […]
As healthcare systems face increasing demand, the importance of early intervention and accessible care has never been more critical. The Pharmacy First initiative, launched in January 2024, offers a ground-breaking solution by empowering local pharmacies to manage seven common conditions, reducing the need for specialist care and alleviating pressure on GP surgeries and emergency services. […]
As healthcare professionals, safeguarding public health is at the heart of what we do, especially when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases like influenza. The NHS Flu Vaccination Programme is a critical initiative designed to protect the most vulnerable populations through targeted vaccination efforts. Prioritising clinical risk groups for vaccination is essential […]
The beauty of working within General Practice is the variety of the day and the queries presented are no exception. As Clinical Pharmacists within Primary Care we have all undoubtedly been faced with the ‘side effect query’ and the deciphering that then follows – upon writing this I have just completed a clinic that seemed […]
Before you ask, no, we haven’t gone back in time…it’s still 2024 and despite it being the middle of the summer, we are in fact, fast approaching the flu season! The NHS England has now confirmed the start dates for the 2024/25 flu vaccine programme with two main risk groups prioritised for the initial rollout; […]
Health Care Support Workers (HCSWs) play a crucial role in the delivery of the flu vaccination campaign every year. In the second part of our blog series Get Prepped for Flu– we will look at the immunisation and flu training requirements for HCSWs in relation to the National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation […]
Flu vaccination significantly reduces flu-related illness, hospitalisation, and death, easing the burden on health and social care services. Comprehensive and continuous training is essential to ensure healthcare professionals are well-prepared, supported, and informed about current guidelines. This is crucial for the success of the vaccination programme in safeguarding public health during the demanding winter season […]
Patient group directions (PGDs) have long been a valuable tool for streamlining medication access in the UK healthcare system. Traditionally, their use has been reserved for pharmacists and other registered healthcare professionals, however as of 26th June 2024, their application has been expanded to allow registered pharmacy technicians to supply and administer prescription-only-medications (POM) under […]
In light of a recent change to the national flu immunisation programme, we have updated our flu courses for this coming flu season including our ‘Seasonal Influenza 2024/25’ e-learning course as well as our face-to-face flu workshops and our live-via-zoom flu update sessions. This is to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped with the latest […]
For many travel health practitioners, trying to structure their consultations within a relative short timeframe can be a challenging and daunting task, especially if their traveller presents with a complicated medical history or are within a high-risk criterion. But what can we do to ensure that our travel health consultations run smoothly and in a […]
