Integration key to safe discharge, says PV

NHS England should produce a national framework for the effective use of medicines optimisation interventions like NMS and MURs, as part of a discharge planning strategy that utilises the networked skills of community pharmacy, Pharmacy Voice has suggested.

In its response to Healthwatch England’s special inquiry into unsafe discharge, Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott said: “The solution to the problem of unsafe discharge requires integrated services to provide care that people need in a timely manner”. Pharmacy Voice also proposed:

• A commissioning framework for community care, created, co- produced and owned by the public, patients, commissioners and providers
• NHS England should work with CCGs and health and wellbeing boards to overcome some of the barriers to better health outcomes in discharge planning
• CCGs should implement incentives and consistent commissioning messages for prescribers to further drive the development of repeat dispensing services
• NHSE should work with IT suppliers to deliver an interoperable solution that provides for patients, allowing pharmacists ‘read and write’ access to their medical records.