Community Pharmacy Can Deliver Vascular Risk Assessment

Commenting on the Department of Health's announcement on the new national
vascular risk screening programme, Sue Sharpe, CEO, PSNC said:


"We are very pleased that the government is committed to developing
community pharmacy's role in tackling vascular disease.


Pharmacies can play an important role in reducing the impact of vascular
disease, by looking at risk factors, and advising on the measures that can be
taken to reduce the risk of development of the condition.


We can use the network of pharmacies and their easy accessibility to provide
this support to people in locations and at times that are convenient to them."


PSNC identified vascular risk screening as a target service for community
pharmacy provision two years ago and has been lobbying the Department of
Health and other key influencers to ensure inclusion of pharmacy within
government plans. A draft Enhanced service specification has been developed
and was submitted to the Department of Health for consideration last year.


Notes


1. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is the body that
represents community pharmacy on NHS matters and seeks to secure the
best possible NHS services provided by pharmacy contractors in England and
Wales.


Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee