Open AccessNew roles in pharmacy – learning from the A ll W ales C ommon A ilments Scheme
Author(s) -
Mantzourani Efi,
Richards Thomas Gwyn,
Hughes Mary Louise
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of pharmacy practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.42
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 2042-7174
pISSN - 0961-7671
DOI - 10.1111/ijpp.12231
Subject(s) - medicine , pharmacy , traditional medicine , scheme (mathematics) , family medicine , medical education , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Objectives The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of stakeholders on a national pilot of a new service, the ‘ C hoose P harmacy’ C ommon A ilments S ervice ( CAS ) in W ales. Methods Methods used were semi‐structured interviews with stakeholders involved in development and delivery of the CAS . Snowball sampling was employed and invites were extended to eight of 13 pharmacies offering CAS in C wm T af LHB , the practice managers at two associated general practitioner surgeries and two local and national level commissioners. Key findings The benefits of encouraging self‐care by patients were widely recognised in terms of their impact on patients, health professionals and wider society. Although some challenges of introducing a new service were identified, these did not appear to be insurmountable. Conclusions CAS was welcomed by stakeholders in terms of its potential benefits. Results are therefore encouraging for policy makers involved in the implementation of other new roles within community pharmacy in the UK and beyond.