The service (NMSS) is managed on behalf of Norfolk & Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group. The service supports patients registered to GP practices within the Norfolk geographic area.
NMSS offers an assessment and advice service to any users over the age of 18 years who are having difficulties managing their medication and aims to prevent admission to hospital or care settings by providing support via the user's usual pharmacy.
The service is part of Arden & GEM's wider medicines optimisation team, drawing upon the expertise and best practice the CSU has developed through working on behalf of healthcare commissioners in the Midlands and East of England.
The NMSS, is supported by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who will visit patients who have been referred by community pharmacies or dispensing surgeries following concerns over compliance with prescribed medications. The concerns are often related to cognitive impairment, such as dementia, or chaotic lifestyles and can be raised by healthcare professionals, family, friends or even the patient themselves
The outcomes are better patient safety and medication compliance keeping patients as independent as possible with a hope that it supports less hospital admissions.
