Specialist pharmacists based in rural GP practices could dramatically help improve the well-being of patients with mental health issues, according to the results of a year-long pilot involving Glen Mor Practice in Fort William.
A quarter of the 75 patients involved exhibited signs of severe depression and just under half exhibited severe anxiety but by the end of the pilot almost half of the patients showed significant improvements, with levels of depression and anxiety reduced by 50 per cent or more since the initial consultation.
Pharmacist Liz Buist said it was great to share this ‘innovative use of Staff in NHS Highland’ which proves pharmacist independent prescribers make a diTherence to patients’ mental healthcare.