The NMS is an evidence-based service that allows pharmacists to provide continuity of care for patients. Through an initial interview and a mandatory follow up, the patient continues to be supported. The service is accessible to housebound patients and others who choose to use it remotely as it can be provided via telephone. In any pharmacist-led consultation, it is important to share the agenda with the patient and give the patient the opportunity to raise questions at the beginning of the consultation, as they will be more receptive if they have their questions addressed first.

The new medicine service, as a consultation structured around specific questions, can lead to a variety of interventions. There are a number of suggested questions, which may be asked in a closed or open way. Many practitioners find that the open questions (i.e. those beginning with words like 'how', 'what' and 'when') lead to better discovery of patient needs.

The aim of the NMS is to support patients with longterm conditions via a discussion covering adverse effects, patient concerns, and adherence and efficacy issues in the first weeks of treatment. In relation to discharge from hospital, the service aims to benefit patients and the NHS by:

• Improving health outcomes for patients through improved adherence and therefore efficacy of medicines
• Identifying adverse effects in order to optimise management
• Encouraging cross-sector and multidisciplinary working to provide seamless patient care
• Promoting and supporting self-care of long-term conditions, including supporting healthy lifestyles
• Reducing medicines waste
• Reducing avoidable use of healthcare, including medicinesrelated hospital admissions

Providing an opportunity for the patient and the pharmacist to share the medicines-related agenda around the NMS, share decision-making regarding ways forward and agree levels of selfcare, appropriate to the individual situation.

Figure 2: The Ideal Patient pathway