Presteigne Medical Practice joined Shropdoc in 2023 as the out-of-hours service provider expanded its presence in Powys – and the practice continues to serve its patients and seeks to go above and beyond to meet their needs.

Natalie Mclaughlin, from Presteigne Medical Practice, explains the collaboration with Presteigne Pharmacy which will support patients in the area.

She said: “Ian is the pharmacist at Presteigne Pharmacy, and we have always worked collaboratively and well together.

“He recently asked us if we would consider supporting him in his independent prescribing with Bangor University.

“This means Ian can become a prescriber in his own right, working to his own prescribing form. Once qualified after May 2025, for patients with acute health conditions that fall within Ian’s treatment remit, he will be able to provide this care and treatment in a pharmacy.

“Increased use of prescribers independent of pharmacists within the multi-professional team will increase patient access to care, improve health system capacity and improve individual outcomes.” Presteigne patients will certainly benefit from this service.

Ian is now working with Presteigne nurse practitioner Tom for the next six months shadowing Tom’s acute care clinics at the practice. This will help Ian gain knowledge and experience to be able to prescribe treatment for these types of conditions in the future.

Ian said: “The NHS is keen for community pharmacy to expand its role beyond the scope of dispensing, medicines advice and the sale of over-the-counter medicines.

“Following the successful implementation of the Common Ailments Service in Wales and Pharmacy First in England, it is hoped that community pharmacies can play an important role in minor ailments, freeing up the capacity of GPs to treat serious problems. more complex health issues. Qualified pharmacists after summer 2026 will be independent prescribers; however, if pharmacists are to fulfill this role, it is imperative that those of us already practicing can gain this qualification.

“Having the qualification as an independent prescriber will allow me (within my skills and therapeutic areas) to assess and treat patients safely without the restrictions of working under the direction of a patient group. This will in turn provide greater accessibility to treatment within the local community and relieve pressure on local GP practices.

“I am extremely grateful to everyone at Presteigne Medical Practice for giving me the opportunity to complete my supervised practice-based learning with them – my experience so far has been entirely positive, I have learned more at during these sessions than what I could possibly learn in class. .”