Access to patient records

For the last week I’ve been working as a locum in a maximum security prison. There are lots of challenges to working in such an environment but one of the great things is the access I have to patient information. They run a system called Emis which all healthcare professionals can access and this contains information about medication, comments from practitioners about patient diagnosis, progress and behaviour and also lab results, scanned copies of letters from consultants  and other useful information.

This information access allows me to be able to judge whether the medication prescribed is appropriate and to support the primary prescriber to ensure that best use of the medication. It made me think: what difference would this make to pharmacy practice if we had access to such information in community pharmacy?

I think it would make a massive impact. To be able to inform a prescriber when a patient had picked up their medication, to inform them of any problems patients might be having with their medication or posting results of formal MUR’s would be invaluable for the prescriber. Being able to access most recent blood results, BP or blood sugar readings readings would enable pharmacists to counter prescribe more appropriately and support patients to improve their health. The NHS Card will enable this to happen so all locum pharmacists could support patients wherever they work

The prison service think they are well behind in terms of service delivery but they aren’t and in this aspect they are well aheal of the community curve.

Shaun is a Director of PL-UK Ltd – a respected provider of pharmacy jobs, both permanent and locum.

HMP Chelmsford

Locum pharmacists required to work at HMP Chelmsford. CRB clearance preferred

Dates required:

5th and 8th August

Week commencing 11th August and week commencing 18th August.

Call Linda or Shaun on 01677 424215 for more information

www.pluk.co.uk

Newly Registered Pharmacists

Next week will see the newly qualified pharmacists (NVP) out there in the big bad world and as always PL-UK are trying to get the best of them to register with us.

If you are asked by any new pharmacists if you would recommend an agency I would be really grateful if you could point them in our direction or if they would like to talk to us, we are really nice people, honest!

Freephone Number 0800 8818844

website www.pluk.co.uk

Last minute emergency at HMP Norwich

Free next week and fancy something a bit different? We have a last minute emergency booking available next week in HMP Norwich. Excellent rates available. For run down see comment from Pharmacy Manager

Just to pre-empt questions I have had in the past: no prison experience is required, the pharmacy is halfway between a hospital and community pharmacy. Full support will be given by my staff. There is no prisoner contact, and we do not dispense methadone. The hours are 9-5.

Call Lynne or Linda for more information