Respiratory
Our pharmacy service is dedicated to supporting people living with respiratory conditions by ensuring they receive the safest and most effective medicines, tailored to their individual needs. As respiratory pharmacists, we work closely with doctors, respiratory nurses, and research teams to deliver comprehensive care.
We look after patients with complex respiratory conditions, including severe asthma, COPD, non-CF bronchiectasis, and people who grow pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM).
Our daily responsibilities include taking detailed medication histories for patients admitted to the ward, ensuring we have an accurate and up-to-date record of all current treatments. This helps to prevent medication errors and ensures consistency in care. We also regularly discuss any challenges patients may face in adhering to their medication routines, offering practical advice and support to help overcome these barriers.
Ensuring patients have access to their medicines is another critical part of our role. We manage medication supplies during hospital stays and after discharge. We liaise with GPs and community pharmacies to ensure continuity of care and prevent issues with obtaining medicines in the community. For medications that are not available in the community, we supply them directly from the hospital to ensure uninterrupted treatment.
Additionally, we work closely with research teams involved in clinical trials and the development of new treatments, such as inhalers containing three different medications, which are now widely used in both asthma and COPD.
By closely monitoring and adjusting treatments, we help people with different respiratory conditions to achieve better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and increased independence in managing their condition.