Across 2019/20 with support from the NHS trust board the Chief Pharmacist embarked on a series of initiatives to support the physical health of patients with SMI. The initiatives included a multidisciplinary/multi professional approach that was delivered in an integrated manner across the integrated care system (ICS).
The first initiative involved the recruitment of two physician associates (PAs) to operate an enhanced physical health clinic.
The second initiative included the trust specialist Pharmacists and Occupational Therapists working together to jointly run fortnightly health and wellbeing workshops.
The third initiative involved hosting an evening forum in conjunction with the University of Hertfordshire and the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (University of Manchester) inviting community Pharmacists to discuss how they can support the physical health of patients with SMI.
The fourth initiative involved establishing a medicines optimisation clinic in a community setting for people with a SMI that reviewed their mental and physical health medication holistically.
The fifth initiative included undertaking an audit of GP clinical systems to identify whether patients treated with Clozapine were recorded as such on GP clinical systems. Once identified the GP clinical systems were updated to ensure that Clozapine was recorded in the medication section.
