Help shape the work of the Specialist Pharmacy Service

The Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) is inviting Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to “join a reference group for Primary Care and Community Pharmacy.” The purpose of the group is to provide opinion and support the development and maintenance of resources to ensure they meet the needs of the users. In other works, it is to help shape the work and future direction of the SPS.

Note that the term “Primary Care” in this context is used in the common sense of general practice. However, strictly speaking, primary care includes four types of service as shown in the following NHS England definition:

Primary care services provide the first point of contact in the healthcare system, acting as the ‘front door’ of the NHS. Primary care includes general practice, community pharmacy, dental, and optometry (eye health) services.

NHS England

Role of the SPS

The SPS is traditionally known for being the go-to-service if you need information about medication in the primary care setting, particularly issues around compatibility and use in unusual situations. Its essential role is to provide guidance on medicines on medicines optimisation. A glance at its website shows that it performs the following functions:

• Guidance on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, the following: COVID-19, Patient Group Directions, Administering, Cautions and contraindications, Dosing, Deprescribing, Switching, Interactions, Medication Safety, Safety in breastfeeding, Safety in pregnancy, Temperature management for medicines storage, Excipients, Swallowing difficulties, Stability of cytotoxics and biopharmaceuticals, Aseptic services, Intrathecal administration, Manufacturing and preparation, Unlicensed medicines, Homecare, Advanced therapy medicinal products, Clinical Trials, Medical gases, Record keeping
• Events
• Planning
• Training and development on the following: Breastfeeding, Cardiovascular disease, Complementary medicines, Kidney disorders, Polypharmacy, Medication safety, Pregnancy
• Publications
• Medicines tools help guide practice in specific areas including medicines monitoring, medicines supply, filling medicines compliance aids, and refrigerated medicines stability

The invitation letter: Help shape the work

If the above has piqued your interest in the SPS, and you would like to play a part in shaping the future work of a highly valued organ of the NHS, please see the details in the letter below.

If you have not yet subscribed to our list, but wish to receive more cool stuff directly in your email inbox, click here to be directed to our free subscription signup page.