So, I've got this patient #17 (balancing personalised care and high workloads) Welcome back to "So, I've Got This Patient." Join us as experienced general practice pharmacists, Leah and David, continue their insightful discussions. In our latest episode, we're picking up where we left off. Leah's patient scenario has opened the door to a compelling discussion about the delicate equilibrium between accommodating individual patient decisions and efficiently managing high prescription volumes. Leah's patient had their dose adjusted, prompting her to contemplate the challenge of effective communic ..read more

So, I've got this patient #16 (patient adherence to thyroid medication) Welcome back to "So, I've Got This Patient," the podcast where we delve into real-world patient scenarios, with our experienced general practice pharmacists, Leah and David. In today's episode, we explore a challenging case presented by David. His patient struggles with under-replacement of her thyroxine, leading to persistent abnormal blood results, weight gain, and fatigue. David thoughtfully examines the potential influence of patient adherence to her thyroid medication. Join us as we dissect the intricate interplay bet ..read more

So, I’ve got this patient #15 (paying for OTC items & a TSH of 124) Welcome to "So, I've Got This Patient," the podcast where two seasoned general practice pharmacists, Leah and David, share their experiences and expertise while discussing real-world patient scenarios. In this episode, Leah faces a critical situation with a thyroid patient whose TSH levels are alarmingly high at 124. Join her as she navigates through the challenges of managing thyroid disorders, interpreting test results, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to ensure the best care possible for her patient. Mean ..read more

We should do an episode on . . . Recording patient phone calls On today's episode, our pharmacist panel, made up of Leah and David Foster, discuss the potentially controversial topic of recording patient phone calls.  Join us as we explore the motivations, ethical considerations, and diverse perspectives surrounding this practice in general practice. Did you know that most general practices are now recording patient phone calls? We start our journey by discussing this growing trend and the reasons behind its adoption. As healthcare professionals, we often find ourselves grappling with que ..read more

So, I’ve got this patient #14 (Early prescription requests & Semaglutide injections) Welcome to "So, I've Got This Patient," the podcast where two seasoned general practice pharmacists, Leah and David, share their experiences and expertise while discussing real-world patient scenarios. In this episode, Leah faces a challenging situation when a patient requests out of stock semaglutide injectables. Join her as she navigates through managing patient expectations, exploring alternative solutions, and highlighting the significance of clear communication between healthcare professionals. On the ..read more

[[From the archive]] - Is the pre-reg/trainee pharmacist exam fit for purpose? **This episode was originally released in May 2021.** In this special archival episode, we revisit the question: Is the Pre-Reg Exam truly fit for purpose? Join us as we discuss the strengths, limitations, and potential improvements of the current pre-registration examination system. Hear from experienced pre-reg tutors and practicing GP pharmacists, as they share insights on the exam's alignment with real-world pharmacy practice and its role in ensuring patient safety. Tune in as we explore the future of pharmacy e ..read more

So, I’ve got this patient #13 (loop diuretics and swollen ankles) It's that time of the week again, as we bring you two more patient scenarios from our panel of GP pharmacists.  Once again we're joined this week by Sue and John to discuss some real life patient scenarios.  John has a patient with erectile dysfunction who is being prescribed Invicorp. Sue discusses a patient she's working with who is trying to lose weight, which develops into a conversation around GLP1s.  *  *  *  *  * If you have enjoyed today's episode, or any of our other podcasts, please t ..read more

We should do an episode on . . . Patient expectations; have they changed? Back in May there was a story published in Management in Practice entitled: “Police commissioner speaks to GPs about rising abuse from patients”.  The story detailed how Leicestershire Police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews arranged a meeting with local GPs due to concerns about rising levels of abuse at practices, hoping to find a solution. A Freedom of Information Act request carried out by Pulse (sister to management in practice) showed that for Leicestershire Police the number of callouts associated with ..read more

We should do an episode on . . . Pharmacy First and Antimicrobial Resistance Today's episode is split into separate, but related parts.  Part one will see us focusing on Pharmacy First. Last month, the prime minister Rishi Sunak unveiled plans to transform primary care, by announcing a £645m funding package for community pharmacy in order to allow pharmacists to prescribe medication for certain conditions in community pharmacy, without the need of GP approval first. The scheme, which could be rolled out as early as this winter, is believed to free up over 15 million slots at GP surgeries ..read more

We should do an episode on . . . Why pharmacists are leaving community pharmacy Following an announcement in May by the Department of Health and Social Care that it had met its target of 26k additional primary care staff, set in 2019, the Chief Executive of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), Malcolm Harrison stated “the corrosive impact of the ARRS scheme on community pharmacy must be stopped.” and demanded an immediate halt of ARRS recruitment of pharmacists into general practice. Earlier in May, Malcolm Harrison had cited a report commissioned by the CCA showing that by 2024 eight year ..read more