Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were established in July 2019; several months later the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.
One of the PCN service requirements, commencing October 2020, was to identify patients who would benefit from a Structured Medication Review (SMR); those living in care homes, those with complex/problematic polypharmacy, those who have had falls, those living with severe frailty, and those taking potentially addictive medications for pain.
Clinical pharmacists working in primary care were expected to lead on, and undertake, SMRs. Many PCN pharmacy staff new to post are relatively inexperienced yet required to undertake SMRs for complex care home residents living with moderate to severe frailty.
Training sessions on a variety of clinical topics have been, and continue to be, provided by the Medicines Optimisation Team for Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacy and other clinical healthcare professionals; there can be over 100 attendees. These sessions have been, and continue to be, provided virtually.
The pandemic necessitated the provision virtually; once restrictions were lifted the virtual sessions have continued given the geography of the Integrated Care System (ICS), and effective use of people's time. As these sessions are provided virtually, they are led with a more presenter-style teaching format.
Due to the scale of the session and the large number of attendees this could be intimidating to many, especially those less confident and/ or with limited experience, to ask questions. The need for smaller group face-to-face training was identified, in which pharmacy staff felt safe, comfortable with each other and able to ask questions and/ or share concerns. Face-to-face training sessions, based on the PCN locality, were proposed.
