Search

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have published a delivery plan outlining commitments to tackle the 8am rush for GP appointments and make it easier for patients to get the help they need from primary care. The plan focuses on a much bigger role for pharmacists in managing patients' common ailments, but does the already‐overstretched pharmacy sector feel supported enough to take it on? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Society for Academic Primary Care supports a range of special interest groups (SIGs), including one focusing on dentistry. This article discusses the work of the fledgling Oral Health and Dental Care SIG, which is making strides collaborating with other primary care specialties, and is breaking the mould in academic dentistry, where previously specialists have led the way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While prescribed medicines are free for all in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, patients in England who are not exempt still need to pay prescription charges. But in the current cost‐of‐living crisis, is the present system fair and might it actually represent a false economy for the NHS? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First reported in Western medical literature in the 1950s, faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has now come of age as a cost‐effective treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. But what do we know about FMT, what are its uses and limitations, and where might microbiome treatments take us in the future? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NHS Long Term Plan recognised the importance of providing smoking cessation services to inpatient smokers, but the level of treatment currently being offered in hospitals often falls short of guidelines. This article describes some of the projects and models of care that are helping to improve UK stop‐smoking services in hospital and on transfer to the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2018, legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK was announced, following media reports about children with unmanageable epilepsy being denied the drug. Over two years on, the number of patients who have received NHS prescriptions for licensed cannabis medicines is estimated to be in the low hundreds, but the number of prescriptions issued for unlicensed products has been vanishingly small. This article examines the reasons why, and discusses the future role of medical cannabis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐compartment compliance aids (MCAs) are pill boxes or blister packs that organise medication according to the day and time it needs to be taken. On the surface of it, they seem like the ideal way to ensure older patients take their medications as prescribed, but there is actually very little evidence to support their use and they may have adverse effects. This article looks at research into the effectiveness of MCAs, and discusses factors affecting medication adherence in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaining sufficient expertise on medicines and prescribing takes practice, which is ideally done in an environment that doesn't involve actual patients. This is the function of the recently launched Prescribing Simulator, an e‐learning project from the British Pharmacological Society. This article takes a look at this new initiative, how it works and who might benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last November, the government moved cannabis‐based medicinal products out of Schedule 1 into Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, meaning they can now legally be prescribed. However, conflicting advice from different authorities, sourcing difficulties and a lack of guidelines have meant that few patients have so far been able to access these medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a recent fall off in immunisation rates in England, and in 2017–18, coverage declined again in nine of the 12 routine vaccinations in preschool children. This article examines the reasons why, and looks at ways to combat the decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All recently‐qualified medics will be familiar with the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA), an examination that must be passed before doctors can move on to their F2 foundation year. Now, the British Pharmacological Society, which co‐created the PSA, is championing wider use of its Prescribing Skills Assessment – the cloudbased learning platform that underpins the PSA – and is introducing a series of 'box sets' to test prescribers in various areas of prescribing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social prescribing has the potential to address unmet patient needs and ease pressure on GPs and other healthcare professionals. This article investigates the evidence behind social prescribing, the benefits and drawbacks, and how it is gaining a higher profile in the NHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, pharmacists have had very limited options when faced with drugs that are out of stock, but recently introduced Serious Shortage Protocols could theoretically help mitigate shortages by giving them the power to dispense something different. But what do pharmacists and prescribers make of these new protocols, and what are the implications for patients? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shingles vaccine has been part of the vaccination schedule in the UK since September 2013. It is available for adults aged over 70 years who meet the eligibility criteria. But the programme has not been without its teething problems: this article gives an overview of the evolving shingles vaccination programme and how it is making itself fit for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In July 2018, the government announced that boys as well as girls will be offered the HPV vaccination, in response to a new recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This article discusses the background to the decision, its implications and the likely rollout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delays in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and young people are all too common and cause real anguish for those affected and their families. This article assesses the scale of the problem and discusses possible reasons and solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GP out-of-hours services are part of a complex system of care available to patients when their GP surgery is closed and they urgently need a prescription. This article discusses how efficiency could be increased by improving integration of services and transfer of patient information, as well as educating patients about how to make optimal use of the services available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the first legislation back in the 1980s, UK nurses have earned increasing powers to prescribe. This article discusses the scope and limitations of nurses' prescribing role now and in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity often starts in childhood and if not tackled early, can lead to many health problems in adulthood. This article discusses the measures being taken to confront the problem of obesity in children in the UK today, and what primary care practitioners can do to help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The British Pharmacological Society (BPS) now runs an Early Career Clinical Pharmacology Abstract Competition to encourage doctors and pharmacists at the start of their career to consider specialising in clinical pharmacology. Here, Prescriber talks to Dr Andrew Scourfield, who was involved in creating the competition, as well as two previous prize winners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GPs with mental ill health will rarely admit their emotional vulnerabilities to colleagues and therefore find it difficult to access existing local mental health services. This article discusses the NHS GP Health Service, a new England-wide service that offers confidential help for GPs experiencing mental health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the NHS cancer vanguard programme, Greater Manchester Cancer Vanguard Innovation is testing a number of ways to improve cancer treatment in Greater Manchester and eastern Cheshire. One of its major pilots is a digital platform designed to help GPs detect cancer earlier, called Gateway-C. This article focuses on that project and its aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]