5 Min In Practice
We know you want to continue to build on your practice, why not hear from others in the sector striving to do the same.
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Open six days a week, Rowlands Ellon is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the local community and offers convenient access to a broad range of services to meet the varying needs of its customers. We asked manager Carlene Green (pictured) to explain more about the new services the pharmacy is providing?
Specialist services will include access to a Pharmaself automated 24-hour prescription collection point, which gives patients added flexibility and convenience, allowing them to collect their prescriptions at a time that suits them.
To further improve our offering, there is a self-service SiSU Health Station now available in the branch. It is easy to use and offers a free health check, measuring BMI, blood pressure and body fat in less than five minutes.
Users have access to a free online health dashboard where they can then track their progress and access free health improvement plans and programs online, or receive healthy living advice from the pharmacy team if they would prefer.
Do you offer the Pharmacy First Plus service?
Yes, we do. For example, flu and pneumococcal vaccinations are available as part of a wider service portfolio, which provides customers with expert advice for treating minor ailments as part of the Pharmacy First scheme.
How do you feel about the direction of travel of community pharmacy in Scotland?
We have demonstrated commendable adaptability and agility to meet the ever-changing needs of the public during the past year and a half. Rowlands Ellon offers the best of both worlds for patients – digital convenience with access to face-to-face professional advice and support, which allows us to make it easy for them to access the healthcare that they individually need.
“The new layout and design of the pharmacy has been very well received by our patients”
What opportunities do you see from pharmacist prescribing in general?
Increasing patient access to pharmaceutical care and support will reduce pressure on other parts of the NHS. Developing and utilising the clinical skills of pharmacists will help improve healthcare outcomes across Scotland. Patients want and need more community-based pharmaceutical care and we are best placed to provide that.
What are the main challenges facing the business at the moment and how do you intend to meet them?
Community pharmacy, along with almost every other sector, is facing a number of workforce challenges, which includes pharmacists as well as the support team. We are raising the profile of community pharmacy and highlighting the rewarding career pathways that are available.
What benefits have you derived from technology and automation, in particular the 24-hour prescription collection point?
The biggest benefit so far has been reduced waiting times in-store, which allows us to spend more time talking to our patients about their health and wellbeing and what we, as a community pharmacy, can do to support them. Increased accessibility to their medication by working around a patient’s busy schedule is another benefit to come from the 24-hour prescription collection point – something we are looking forward to continuing at our branch.
What’s the reaction of patients to the new-look pharmacy? Are they prepared to pay for private services?
The new layout and design of the pharmacy has been very well received by our patients and there has been a lot of interest in our private weight management service. There is a growing demand for look-after-yourself healthcare advice and support, and we are providing that alongside the services offered by GPs. Increasingly, people want to take personal control to live healthier lives and we are there at every stage to support them.
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In Practice
We know you want to continue to build on your practice, why not hear from others in the sector striving to do the same.
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