We have Clinical Pharmacists working in each of our Practices:
- Phil Griffiths – Linden Hall Surgery (Newport)
- Lidia Derviso – Wellington Road Surgery (Newport)
- Satvir Dhillon – Shawbirch Medical Centre (Telford)
- Inderjit Konkon – Donnington Medical Practice (Telford)
- Andrew Hon – Working in Each of the Practices
In addition, we also employ 4 Pharmacy Technicians who support the Clinical Pharmacists and GP’s
- Keeley Tudor – Linden Hall Surgery & Wellington Road Surgery
- Megan Walker – Shawbirch Medical Centre & Donnington Medical Practice
- Sophie Bowen – Linden Hall Surgery & Wellington Road Surgery
Clinical pharmacy teams are increasingly working as part of general practice teams. They are highly qualified experts in medications and can help people in a range of ways. The correct selection, use and monitoring of medication is essential to ensure patients receive safe and effective treatment. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach.
This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions, advice for those on multiple medicines and promoting better access to health checks. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and ensuring patient safety.
Part of our PCN work is to improve care in our nursing and residential homes. The pharmacists are part of the multidisciplinary team who review patients with problems and undertake structured medication reviews to make sure patients are only on the medications they need.
The following NHS video helps to explain what a clinical pharmacist is:
Structured Medication Reviews
What is a Structured Medication Review (SMR)?
- An appointment between you and one of our clinical pharmacists who works in your surgery.
- Our clinical pharmacists are experts in making sure they are safe and effective.
- The review will look at all your medications, including any you may buy yourself.
- It will make sure that your medications all work together safely and are the best for your conditions
- It may support you with lifestyle and diet advice if appropriate
What do I need to do before my SMR?
- If you get sent a questionnaire, please fill it in as much as you can as this helps you get the most from the review.
- Have a think about any problems or questions you may have. They may include the following:
- Why am I taking this medication? Why is it important?
- How and when should I take my medications?
- Do I take this medicine for the rest of life?
- How do I know my medicines are working?
- Do my medicines have any side effects? Do these side effects gets worse the longer I take them?
- What happens if I forget to take my medications or stop taking them completely?
- Should I take them before, with or after food?
- Can I take things I buy myself such as vitamins and supplements?
What happens next?
- A member of the PCN pharmacy team will call or text you to arrange your review
- Reviews are phone appointments, but face-to-face appointments are possible. Please discuss your preference when contacted.
- Please have your medications or a list of your medications with you for the review
- After the appointment the pharmacist may discuss any changes to your medications with your GP.
- If needed you may be referred for other tests such as blood test