A team of General Practice Pharmacists (GPPs) who have helped alleviate GP workload have this month marked five years of assisting GPs.

The South West Federation General Practice Pharmacists, comprising a team of 25 pharmacists, work across 22 GP practices covering Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Originally created to help alleviate GP workloads, the role of a GPP has evolved since its commencement, with differing roles depending on practice needs; however, the work is underpinned by alleviating workload from GPs in relation to medications.

An event to mark five years of GPPs within the South West Federation was held in the Manor House Hotel on June 24. Others who marked this milestone alongside the GPPS were Dr. McCracken and Dr. Gallen, South West Acute Hospital, who were guest speakers at the event.

Also in attendance at the event was Dr. Haigney, the lead GP for pharmacy; Glynis McMurtry, Head of Pharmacy for GP Federations; Rachel Forbes, Operation Manager; and Maria Nugent-Murphy, Maple Health care Practice Manager.

Ruth Coalter, lead GPP, said: “GPPs have become an integral part of the primary care team and it is exciting to see their role evolve and develop within this setting.”

Explaining the role of a GPP , Ruth said: “A GPP is involved in assisting with medication management in the GP practice.

“They are involved in queries with regards to medication, so that could be a medication query from a community pharmacy or a patient, as well as medication reconciliation, which involves reconciling medication from hospital discharge letters or other communication from secondary care.”

She continued: “Meds management includes a wide range of activities in relation to medication. This can involve escalating or de-escalating medication. It involves patient education; ensuring patients are aware why they are taking medication, and ensuring patients are empowered.”

Explaining how the role of a GPP can differ across the board, Ruth said: “Some pharmacists can be independent prescribers, so can be involved in different clinics in their area of prescribing – for example, a hypertension or an asthma clinic, and that would be focusing on medication within that, and overall patient management of chronic diseases.”

Explaining how a GPP fits into a practice, Ruth said: “Queries in regard to medication will come to the pharmacist, and that could be a query from one of the GPs or our colleagues within the hospital.”

Ruth, alongside Ciara Haughey, who serve as the lead GPPs within the South West Federation, wished to thank the GPPs for their continual hard work and dedication.

Ruth said: “GPPs would like to express their appreciation of the support and enthusiasm provided by Dr. Haigney and the other GPs on the South West Federation Board who have the continual vision for their role.

“I look in anticipation to the future to the development of this exciting role. The continual support from GPs, practice managers and other practice staff is paramount to the success and integration of this role, to date, and I look in anticipation to these relationships being enhanced further.”