North West MUR Review Group Develops Collaborative Model Of Best Practice UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 01 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The NHS North West Pharmacy Workforce Development Group - through one of its sub groups, the MUR Review Group - hosted a regional workshop to review the implementation of the MUR service and to consider how to integrate and align this service with NHS priorities as defined in the Pharmacy White Paper.

As a result of this work a collaborative model of best practice for the MUR service has been developed for use across the North-West region.

The model has been designed by a broad range of stakeholders including representatives from PCTs, community pharmacy contractors, employee pharmacists, LPC members and Professional Services pharmacists. GPs, nurses and patients have also been consulted on the model and the Review Group will continue to evaluate feedback from the wider healthcare team.

The model includes criteria that cover issues such as patient/pharmacist/GP/Healthcare Professional's understanding and expectation of the service; communication within the local health community; patient selection; training needs; quality standards; MUR and the patient pathway; and, evaluation of the service.

The model of best practice is now being piloted in Trafford PCT before being offered to other PCTs across the North West Strategic Health Authority. The model was launched to the community pharmacists at an event that included a workshop focusing on inter-professional relationships and communication skills for pharmacists. The NPA/BMA GP-Community Pharmacy Improving Communications workbook was used to underpin the session and encourage pharmacists to speak with their local GPs and other healthcare professionals about the features and benefits of the MUR service.

Helen Rhodes, NPA Professional Services Manager, who supported the workshop, said how pleased she is to be supporting members in this important programme of work. "The feedback from the Trafford launch event has been very positive and highlights community pharmacists' commitment to delivering a high quality service to their patients" she said.

Harriet Lewis, Head of Pharmacy Services at Trafford PCT who is a member of the Review Group and is leading the pilot work in Trafford said 'I was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the pharmacists taking part in the session and I am confident that they now have the skills and confidence to discuss the benefits of an MUR and the value of the service in helping patients understand their medicines, with their local primary care colleagues. A series of further workshops is planned in Trafford over the next six months to provide community pharmacists in Trafford with the necessary competences and skills to deliver an MUR service to defined standards."

The Trafford pilot is one of a number of MUR implementation programmes currently ongoing in the NW. A "Learning Exchange" is planned for March, facilitated by the NW MUR Review Group, to document the work of these projects and to give their leads an opportunity to showcase their work to NW colleagues.

National Pharmacy Association

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