Pharmacy Champions
Service specification (what it is, how it works)
A Pharmacy Champion in NHS Highland is typically a designated person—often a pharmacist or pharmacy team member—who acts as a key point of contact and advocate for pharmacy-related initiatives within a specific area or service. While the exact duties can vary depending on the context (e.g., community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, or primary care), the role generally includes:
Core Responsibilities
- Promoting Best Practice: Encouraging safe, effective, and sustainable use of medicines across teams.
- Supporting Pharmacy First and Clinical Services: Helping implement services such as minor ailment management, blood pressure checks, and contraception services.
- Education and Engagement: Acting as a liaison between pharmacy teams and other healthcare professionals, providing guidance and training where needed.
- Driving Strategic Goals: Supporting NHS Highland’s Pharmacy Services Strategy (2025–2030), which focuses on improving patient outcomes, digital transformation, and workforce development. [communityp…cot.nhs.uk]
- Building Partnerships: Working with GP practices, care homes, and community services to integrate pharmacy into wider health pathways.
Why It Exists
The role helps NHS Highland deliver its vision of making pharmacy an integral part of community and hospital care, shifting from a purely dispensing function to a more clinical, patient-focused service. Champions often lead local engagement, troubleshoot issues, and ensure alignment with national programs like Pharmacy First and the Primary Care Access Recovery Plan. [england.nhs.uk]
Resources
There are several useful resources for Pharmacy Champions and related pharmacy initiatives in NHS Highland:
1. TAM (Treatments and Medicines) – Right Decisions Platform
- Offers therapeutic guidelines, formulary updates, and medicine management resources.
- Includes polypharmacy toolkit for medication reviews and realistic prescribing.
- Access TAM resources and Polypharmacy guidance. [rightdecis…cot.nhs.uk], [rightdecis…cot.nhs.uk]
2. Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) Guidance
- National resources for achieving and maintaining HLP status.
- Includes checklists, evidence portfolio workbooks, and health promotion ideas.
- Explore HLP resources. [cpe.org.uk]
Useful documents (claim forms etc)
I found several official and practical documents that can help you understand and support the Pharmacy Champion role in NHS Highland:
1. Community Pharmacy Information Pack (NHS Highland)
- Updated October 2025.
- Includes guidance for community pharmacy services, contacts for Pharmacy Practitioner Champions, and operational details.
- Access the pack here. [communityp…cot.nhs.uk]
2. NHS Circular PCA (P) (2024)34 – Pharmacy Champions Funding
- Outlines the role and remit of Community Pharmacist Practitioner Champions, including:
- Supporting Pharmacy First Scotland delivery.
- Promoting bridging contraception services.
- Implementing regulatory measures for medicines like sodium valproate.
- Read the circular here. [cps.scot]