Rita Dhami’s Post

Check out the latest blog post from CPhA's Danielle Paes P. on the role of #pharmacists in #primarycare. ⤵️

The state of primary care in Canada has forced us to reexamine how care is delivered. It has created the opportunity to evaluate new solutions to address access to care and support the limited workforce of health-care providers who are carrying a great deal of responsibility. Here’s the truth: pharmacists are not just capable of providing primary care — we are already doing it. Every. Single. Day. Despite the countless barriers and with or without support, we are doing our best to work within the parameters of our authority to positively impact the lives of our patients. The issue isn’t whether pharmacists can step up. The issue is the barriers we face. Outdated regulations, inconsistent policies and funding models that don’t align with our scope of practice are holding us back. Add to that a lack of integration into the broader health-care system. Removing barriers would liberate pharmacists to provide care effectively and in many cases help alleviate the moral distress we often feel when we know how to help a patient and what needs to be done but aren’t allowed to do it. I have lots more to say on this topic! You can check out my latest blog post here: https://ow.ly/VOV850U9uKj

This is an exceptional piece of writing by one of Canadian pharmacy’s most brilliant leaders. I encourage anyone who cares about better healthcare to read and discuss it with other colleagues who care. It is the most comprehensive and balanced appraisal I’ve seen, of the current status and future role of pharmacy in our country’s broader healthcare sector. (Note some insightful reference links too). Danielle Paes P. also crisply lays out four action steps that are needed to realize the vision. 1. Consistent policies and funding models across provinces that allow pharmacists to fully utilize their expertise. 2. Integrated infrastructure to connect us with electronic health records and streamline communication with other providers and with our patients. 3. Supportive workplaces that empower us to focus on clinical care while leveraging the skills of our well-resourced teams. 4. Redesigned workflows and spaces that reflect the shift from a product-based model to one focused on patient care. I’m especially mindful that those of us who own or lead the delivery of pharmacy care don’t need anyone’s permission or money to step up and take immediate action on items 3 and 4. Finally, thanks to Danielle for modelling how to infuse the discussion of tough topics with genuine kindness.

Happy World Pharmacists Day! 🌎 Today marks a date to celebrate the incredible work of pharmacists as highly trained healthcare experts and their essential role in promoting health and well-being through self-care and trusted advice in our communities.   Our recent Self-Care Census revealed that there is a concerning decline in the number of people in the UK who would choose to see their pharmacist as a first step in seeking medical advice for self-treatable conditions. In order for us to build an NHS fit for the future, this needs to change!   This week, we included in our new State of the Nation report a call on the Government to enhance public awareness of comprehensive primary care services, including pharmacy. Hand-in-hand with this, we’re also calling for an agreed long-term funding settlement for community pharmacy that reflects pharmacy’s role in supporting NHS delivery and ensures patient access to and advice on OTC medicines.   Now is the time to capitalise on the very real opportunities in reach to realise the full potential of self-care.   #WorldPharmacistsDay #SelfCare #Healthcare #NHS

87% of UK pharmacists believe everyday health issues could be prevented with better self-care. At Kenvue, we are deeply committed to the power of self-care in enhancing the well-being of individuals and their families. Our latest research with UK pharmacists reveals a critical insight: while pharmacists are trusted and essential in our communities, they are facing significant pressures and feeling undervalued within the healthcare system. Pharmacists are among Kenvue’s most valued partners, and as I settle into my new home here in the UK, I am discovering the rich and evolving history of pharmacists. For centuries, they have been delivering trusted care directly to our communities, a legacy that continues to grow and adapt. But worryingly, our survey results also underlines the growing pressures they are facing, including managing significantly heavier workloads. While the public continue to put their trust in pharmacists, the stark reality is the profession unfortunately still feels undervalued within the healthcare system itself. This insight highlights a critical opportunity for the government to reassess how it can support the profession through the increasing shift toward community and preventative care. As an industry, it’s crucial that we continue to recognise and empower pharmacists through the challenges they face, while still addressing consumer needs. We must equip them with the resources and products they require to do their jobs effectively and support pharmacists just like they’ve supported us time and time again over the years. Together, we can transform the healthcare landscape and champion the well-being of our communities. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eiHnzpbd #WeAreKenvue #KenvueUK #EverydayCare

No, we should not. The physician shortage in Germany is not as bad as in Canada, but it is still significant and getting worse. If we are to rebuild healthcare, we need to be innovative and think outside the box, not attempt to copy another failing jurisdiction simply because it is not as bad as Canada. Source: https://shorturl.at/ENrlR #OntarioHealthcare #PocketMD #HealthcareReform

🚨 Canada’s Primary Care Crisis: Time for Action! 🚨 Did you know that 6.5 million Canadians are currently without access to a primary care provider? This staggering statistic underscores a critical issue that demands our immediate attention. Access to medical care is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and it’s time we address the root causes of this crisis head-on. This is not about making minor tweaks or relying on private clinics as a band-aid solution. It’s about a comprehensive approach that involves all levels of government and the healthcare sector working together to create sustainable change. Here’s what we need to focus on: 🔍 Policy Reform: We must bridge the policy gaps that hinder effective primary care delivery. This means revising outdated policies and implementing new ones that support robust primary healthcare infrastructure. 👩⚕️ Retention of Healthcare Professionals: Canada must prioritize retaining more primary care providers. This involves improving working conditions, offering competitive salaries, and creating supportive environments that prevent burnout and encourage longevity in the profession. 🌏 Utilizing Newcomer Talent: Many qualified newcomer healthcare professionals are eager to contribute but face barriers that keep them on the sidelines. We need streamlined processes to recognize their credentials and integrate them into our healthcare system. Their expertise and experience are invaluable assets that we cannot afford to overlook. We’ve already made strides here - but there is a long way to go! We already have viable solutions on the table. The time for debate is over; now is the time for action. Let’s uplift the right to medical care for all Canadians by fixing the systemic issues that plague our primary care system. Canada, let’s lead by example and ensure that every citizen has access to the healthcare they deserve. 💪🇨🇦 #Healthcare #PrimaryCare #Canada #HealthPolicy #NewcomerProfessionals #MedicalCare #HealthcareReform #ActNow #GovernmentPolicy Kelly Grant https://lnkd.in/g7vHHd_p

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐇𝐒 𝟏𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: 𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 🏥💊 Community Pharmacy England has submitted its proposals for the NHS’s 10-year health plan, calling for urgent action to increase the commissioning of pharmacy services and address the sector's funding gap. These proposals demonstrate how community pharmacies can play a central role in improving public health, from detecting undiagnosed conditions to driving long-term behaviour changes. However, the need for long-term investment in the sector is critical to ensure sustainability. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: 1. Placing community pharmacies at the heart of primary care delivery 2. Securing investment for long-term sector stability 3. Preventing further pharmacy closures 4. Ensuring a supportive regulatory environment 5. Expanding the range of services offered in pharmacies Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, stated, “Now is the time to shift towards a preventative healthcare model that leverages pharmacies' unique ability to provide easily accessible care.” 💬 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation on shaping the NHS’s future. #Verovian #Healthcare #Recruitment #Pharmacy #NHS #HealthcareRecruitment #CommunityPharmacy #PrimaryCare #Pharmacists #UKPharmacy #VerovianRecruitment #HealthPolicy #VerovianJobs #UKJobs #LocumJobs #UKNews #UKHealthcare #HealthNews #NowHiring #UK #PharmacyNews #PharmacyRecruitment

Accelerating access to health care in Alberta! Physician shortages are a pressing issue globally, and Alberta is no exception. CPSA's accelerated Practice Readiness Assessment (PRA) reduces the assessment period for eligible international medical graduates (IMGs) to just three months, facilitating quicker integration of qualified physicians into Alberta’s healthcare system. This initiative not only addresses staffing shortages but also ensures that communities receive the high-quality care they deserve. Discover the full story as part of our 2023 Annual Report, and the impact this program is having on communities like Red Deer: https://bit.ly/3Kc4391 #ABHealth #AnnualReportCPSA

Yesterday saw the launch of the Labour Party’s manifesto ahead of the general election in three weeks’ time. While there were no great surprises in their document, we welcome the pledge to shift resources to primary and community care, including trialling Neighbourhood Health Centres, which should yield earlier diagnoses and improve patient outcomes. The commitment to developing NHS innovation and adoption strategy in England demonstrates the party’s recognition that innovative products must reach patients sooner through improved procurement and regulatory processes. Labour’s pledge to grant greater prescribing rights to pharmacists may relieve pressure on GPs, however without utilising existing rapid near-patient diagnostics this could unintentionally cause a spike in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions which would exacerbate the already grave issue of antimicrobial resistance. Ben Kemp, Policy and Public Affairs Executive, said: “Yesterday’s manifesto launch illustrates that Labour understand the barriers currently constricting the NHS: slow innovation adoption, workforce challenges, and the need for a greater focus on prevention. These challenges are immense and can only be solved through bold action in all areas. "The UK is teeming with innovative medical diagnostic products which could provide immediate solutions. If Labour do form the next government, we look forward to working with them to ensure these products are rolled out through their NHS innovation and adoption strategy to save lives, provide earlier diagnoses and facilitate a more efficient health service.” #Labour #Manifesto #Diagnostics #Innovation