Primary Care Network Pharmacists

At Medacy we are well aware that we will soon be entering the second year of Primary Care Network Pharmacist funding. We are also well aware that many PCNs have not really fully realised the potential of year one yet! I suppose such a fundanmental change as the one resulting from the formation of Primary Care Networks was always going to take time to get established and to continue the gardening analogy, some have unfortunately wither on the stem!

At Medacy we have always been massively enthusiatic about the concept of Primary Care Networks and especially the potential for pharmacists to findamantally change healthcare with the PCNs. However there are some challenges:

• You need to have the right pharmacist working within the PCN
• Those pharmacists need to have a clear plan and support from all practices
• The pharmacists need to be able to learn from successes from other PCN and practice pharmacists
• The pharmacists needs the clinical knowledge and personal confidence to worj as a key member of the PCN MDT

Right Pharmacist

In theory any pharmacist should be able to take on a PCN role. However, experince tells us that not all pharmacists are capable of carrying out the role. You need a pharmacist who is keen to learn and confident enough to take a full and active part in a PCN. Many pharmacist actually prefer to be hideen away in a dispensary and there will always be a need for those pharmacists to focus on the supply side of the profession and it that role they are massively valuable. However for this PCN role to you need a pharmacist to stand front and centre witthin thee PCN and practice teams and take the lead on medication related matters. Right Pharmacist is so important. Medacy can help with that

Right Pharmacist with a clear plan

Too many PCNs are taking on pharmacists for them to then leave each practice to assign tasks in the small ammount of time they will be in practice each week. This time will not fundamentally change a practice and could potentially be counter productive. If the Five Year Plan is seen through, we are about to enter year two of five years of funding for PCN Pharmacists. Setting firm foundations for a five year roll-out and evolution of the Primary Care Pharmacist roll is so important. All stakeholders need to understand what benefits will be derived by having a fully functioning Clinical Pharmacist Service supporting their PCN and practice. I’m not sure if that is the case in many Primary Care Networks but don’t worry, Medacy Can help with that

Right Pharmacist with a clear plan and a high functioning support network

So you have the right pharmacist with a clear plan. How can you improve on that? Simple. Medacy have created a support network called The Medacy Practice which enable PCN pharmacists to receive peer support and direction and share best practice .

So What Can Medacy so ensure your Primary Care Network Pharmacist is a success?

Quite simply, Medacy can help with it all:

• Medacy’s Recruitment Service can recruit the right pharmacist for you
• Our Consultancy Service can creat a clear 5 Year Plan
• The Medacy Practice can provide the support and direction to ensure your pharmacist realises their full potential.
• Medacy Clinical Services provide a full managed Pharmacist-led Clinical Service Option to PCNs

For more information about how Medacy can support your PCN to recruit. direct and support a Pharmacist , call 01677 252205 or email shaun@medacy.co.uk.