Selected LloydsPharmacy branches are to start delivering specialised treatments in the community instead of an acute hospital setting as part of parent company Celesio’s ambition to transform how and where healthcare is provided and improve patient outcomes.

The initiative, known as LloydsPharmacy Healthcare Centres, will launch in three locations over the next few months, and will offer patients more choice over where they receive specialised medicines while taking pressure off NHS Trusts. Celesio UK speciality director Ruth Poole stated: “We are building services that are right for patients and providers – we are looking from the other end of the telescope.”

The plans pull on expertise from the company’s Homecare arm, with nurses using special consultation rooms in LloydsPharmacy branches, hospital outpatient dispensaries or specially built premises to give treatments for a wide range of therapeutic areas, from cancers to rheumatology and respiratory conditions. Pharmacy teams will undergo training to understand the specialised medicines being provided at their stores, and will have in role in supporting patients, giving information, and advising on other services that may be beneficial.

Pharmacies where such schemes take place are to receive additional resource from head office in order to avoid compromising existing services, Ms Poole confirmed.