Community pharmacies are calling for more joined up working between pharmacies and GPs, in response to the current consultation on the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that 10 new indicators be added to the QOF, which rewards GPs for how well they care for patients. Six of the indicators relate to the management of high blood pressure, one focuses on the care of diabetes patients, while another looks at patients taking multiple medicines (polypharmacy). The PSNC has argued that the new indicators could provide more opportunities for pharmacists and GPs to work together in the management of long-term conditions.

“Pharmacies have a lot to offer to support GP care to help patients on long-term medication, such as insulin, to better manage their medicines and, as a consequence, their conditions,” said PSNC head of NHS services Alastair Buxton.