Medicines Optimisation for Respiratory Patients: The Establishment of a New Consultant Respiratory Pharmacist Role in Northern Ireland.

Cairine Gormley,Glenda Fleming,Brendan Moore,Michael Scott,Anne Friel,Maureen Spargo,Rose Sharkey

doi:10.3390/pharmacy9040177

Cairine Gormley, Glenda Fleming + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy9040177

Copy DOI

Abstract

Medicines optimisation for those with respiratory conditions can have a significant impact on clinical outcomes and substantial efficiency gains for health care. Consultant pharmacists are experts working at the top of their specialism in four main pillars of practice, namely clinical care, leadership, education and training, and research and development. A consultant respiratory pharmacist has recently been appointed at a large Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland to provide expert care and clinical leadership for the medicines optimisation agenda with regards to respiratory care in Northern Ireland. Alongside clinical practice, leadership, and service development, emphasis will be placed on monitoring and evaluating the work of the consultant respiratory pharmacist with a view to gathering the necessary evidence to support the case for further investment in such consultant pharmacist posts in the region. This short communication article outlines some of the clinical and economic factors associated with the decisions to invest in the consultant pharmacist model of care in Northern Ireland

Highlights

Respiratory disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality
Despite the framework for consultant pharmacist posts being in place for 15 years, just six pharmacists are currently working at this level in Northern Ireland (NI): five within the care of older people and one within oncology
This prompted innovative medicines optimisation service development work that focused on case management of patients with chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) by a specialised hospital pharmacist in both primary and acute care settings

Summary

Introduction

Respiratory disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is the third most common cause of death in Northern Ireland (NI), accounting for 13.8% of deaths in 2018 [1]. The consultant pharmacist liaises with all professionals in the various pillars of practice They provide expert care to patients with the most complex needs, such as palliative care and those with chronic respiratory disorders. Despite the framework for consultant pharmacist posts being in place for 15 years, just six pharmacists are currently working at this level in NI: five within the care of older people and one within oncology. In this communication paper, the process for establishing a consultant pharmacy-led respiratory service at the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) in Northern.

Clinical and Economic Factors

Establishment of the Consultant Pharmacist Role

Early Evidence of Impact

Future Plans for the Consultant Pharmacist Service

Conclusions