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Encouraging GPs and pharmacists to "walk in each other's shoes" by spending time in each other's practice has been shown to improve working practices and relationships

Pharmacy Show delegates heard that 73 per cent of staff from Lewisham pharmacies and GP surgeries who spent time in each others' practices said the visit would enable them to improve their service delivery. The study, analysed by Medway School of Pharmacy, involved 58 individual clinician visits and 40 non-clinician visits to pharmacies made by 42 GP practices. Meanwhile, 58 visits to GP surgeries were made from 45 pharmacies. A framework for the visits had been designed jointly by pharmacists and GPs.

Dr Simon Parton (pictured), GP at South Lewisham Group Practice and participant in the study, wanted to gain a better understanding of the systems and processes in pharmacy. During his visit it took him 20 minutes to get through to his own practice with a prescription query. "I found out that you guys are really busy," he said. "I've known the local pharmacists for 12 years but never really considered how I could help them. It's been an enlightening and powerful experience and I strongly recommend it to everyone."

Another participant, Chris Fernandes, of Rushey Green Pharmacy, said the experience would change how he worked and had since agreed with his local GPs that they would visit each other's practice regularly. "This could make the whole process of prescribing and dispensing prescriptions as smooth and safe as possible," he said.