In 2021 SBUHB launched the Primary Care and Community Virtual Wards.
A virtual ward clinical pharmacist is an integral part of the growing multidisciplinary team (MDT) which includes but not limited to, ward manager, geriatrician, occupational therapist, practice GP, lead GP, specialist nurses, social services representatives, third sector and voluntary services. There are now four virtual ward pharmacists working across the 8 primary care clusters within the Health- Board.
The role of the pharmacist is medication optimisation and polypharmacy reviews. A review of evidence based prescribing in line with patient frailty and simplifying medication regimes.
It is working with patients and their relatives and carers to provide a comprehensive medication assessment, assessment of compliance and concordance and de-prescribing to stop over prescribing and reduce the tablet burden.
Assessment of the anti-cholinergic burden, reviewing drugs associated with falls and ensuring any medication safety alerts are actioned and adhered too.
The review of any long term antibiotics in line with health board policies and to identify patients needing an inhaler review, thinking ahead to decarbonisation. Education and teaching to other members of the MDT such as the clinical ward managers and the occupational therapists is another element of the role.
Also working with secondary care pharmacy colleagues to provide that seamless transition of care between sectors and develop paperwork and policies for the health-board that can be used in any sector and ensure that all pharmacists are working to the same standard and utilising the same resources In the first quarter of this year, there was a saving in medication changes or hospital bed days prevented due to medication reviews of £30,000. This was with one pharmacist in post and so the true cost of this initiative will be much higher.
Since the virtual wards were launched in November 2021 there have been 1211 admissions to the virtual wards, which means over a thousand patients have had access to a medication review. These reviews are in patient homes, it is taking healthcare to the patient. It provides a more accurate picture of medication management and allows us to assess problems such as compliance issues and put measures in place, linking in with our medicines management teams to improve patient safety.
Patients can be followed up to evaluate the effect of the medication changes, for instance, Blood pressures can be repeated, to ensure they are within safe parameters before discharge to the patient's own GP.
We will be launching a patient satisfaction survey to evaluate all aspects of care within the virtual wards.
