RPS responds to Future Hospital Commission report

16 September 2013

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has responded to the Future Hospital Commission report, which has been published by the Royal College of Physicians.

The RPS has stressed that it recognises the significance of the report of the future hospital commission, which addresses the big health challenges faced by an ageing population, often with complex health problems at a time when resources are squeezed.

'The RPS was pleased to input into the thinking of the commission at an early stage and agrees that the challenges the NHS faces must be met by radical change in the way we provide services,' said the RPS statement.

'Medicines are important interventions that keep people well and, when given appropriately save lives, however too often people are admitted to hospital because of the medicines they take – between six to eight per cent of emergency admissions are because of poor use of medicines, We also know that problems with the transfer of care, specifically information about medicines causes problem for health professionals, high costs to the NHS but most importantly worse outcomes for patients.

'We are keen in particular to see how the expectation that the hospital retains an aspect of follow-up care and that the specialists spend a proportion of their time in the community would impact on both hospital, community and primary care pharmacists.

'We have already worked with RCP and others on principles that will improve patient outcomes due to a greater focus on the transfer of information about medicines.

'We are looking at how pharmacists can play their part in improving the models of care provided to patients through our independent commission into Future Models of Care through Pharmacy.

'We will be looking at how Standards for Hospital Pharmacy can ensure high quality care, including the challenge of seven-day care availability.'

'We look forward to working with RCP as they look to evaluate the implementation of the recommendations in the report which will require the deployment of both specialist and generalist pharmacists to ensure patients get the best possible care.'