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Poster presentation:
Pharmacists to deliver stop smoking programmes - a success story
Sally Hone
Abstract
The Harrow Stop Smoking Service is an innovate scheme utilising the expertise of health professionals within the community. The ethnic diversity of Harrow is great. The 2001 census estimated that about 41% of Harrow's population are from non-white ethnic groups. This is higher than the London average of 29%. The largest ethnic minority group in Harrow is Indian (21.9%). It is therefore essential services are developed to reach the whole community.
Pharmacists are trusted health professionals with excellent knowledge, accessible to the whole community. The harrow service is a highly successful scheme having helped over 2000 people stop smoking since its launch at the end of 2004. The scheme has been adopted by a number of PCTs throughout he country and this presentation looks to highlight the successful role pharmacists can play in such services and why Harrow has been such a success.
Pharmacies were chosen as the main service providers for the scheme due to their patient trust, knowledge base, ease of supply, ease of access, flexibility, personal development and the financial implications of the service. In return pharmacists as k for recognition of their contributions, a simple easy to follow system, easy paperwork, referrals from GP's and other healthcare professionals, support from a central base, mentors and continued training and development.
Prior to the development of the existing Harrow scheme the PCT shard a service with a neighbouring PCT that was failing. At the time of developing the service there was a lack of evidence for community pharmacist models; all the evidence pointed to a clinic based system. It was foreseen that the clinic-based system would not enable us to reach the target number of quitters and was not socially acceptable to all. The scheme was designed by 4 community pharmacists and the Stop Smoking service fully "road tested" prior to implementation and rolled out to the other pharmacists. The service is now delivered by 51 out of 57 pharmacies in Harrow with them able to supply a full range of NRT through a PGD.
Biography
Sally Hone joined the Harrow Stop Smoking Service mid 2003 and was a key player in the development of the pharmacy scheme. She has since gone on to develop the service taking it from strength to strength.
Sally Hone
Choosing Health Manager for Tobacco Control and Physical Activity
Harrow PCT,
Grace House
Harrovian Business Village,
Bessborough Road
Harrow
HA1 3EX
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