The “Community Pharmacy x General Practice Conference” was initiated by Community Pharmacy London and held in Central London in early November. The central aim was exploring how stronger collaboration can transform patient outcomes and included a London GP representative on each of the panels, as well as keynote remarks from Londonwide LMCs’ CEO, Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell.
Reflecting on the event, Dr Mike Edbury, Chair of Brent LMC and member of the “Myth Busting” panel, said: “This was the first true Londonwide collaborative (I have been involved with) where the wider primary care team have explored the huge potential that exists. Credit to Conor [Price, CEO of Community Pharmacy London] for his initiative.
“A coming together of leaders across general practice and community pharmacy, the energy and drive to thrash through issues at hand – to address them – and ultimately develop further was palpable in the room.
“An example of honest and genuine desire to improve primary care access and patient care, we might just look back in time to reflect this is where true collaboration to explore the possibilities for our patients at neighbourhood level started.
“Pharmacy First isn’t really that at the moment, but many pharmacies would welcome true pharmacy first, not via the GP: a stance that the Commissioners might take notice – and digest – going forward. Access being for the patient to Primary Care and not just measures of the GP.”
London general practice has longstanding strong and effective links and working relationships with pharmacy partners. Read about the pharmacy winners in the recent London General Practice Safety Awards.
- Dr Simon Parton from Lewisham LMC and Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our CEO.
- Dr Sid Datta, Chair of Londonwide LMCs Board.
- Ann Ayamah from Londonwide LMCs training team and Dr Sweta Raj from City and Hackney LMC at the event.
