Page 5 Medical & Healthcare Expert Guide 2019
P. 5
5
The skills and expertise at Cadham Pharmacy
As a health centre for minor ailments, the scope of practice at Cadham
includes chest infections, ear infections, throat infections, sinus
infections, skin infections, shingles, asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) flare ups. Though the team treat or refer
patients who are affected by these illnesses and others, the biggest
focus at Cadham is prevention. Through their Healthera app, patients
can access public health information on weight management,
smoking cessation, diabetes, blood pressure and asthma. Cadham
also deliver a range of clinics, in areas such as pain management,
diabetes prevention and treatment, blood pressure management,
smoking, asthma, chicken pox and acne.
As Bernadette notes, the team at Cadham are highly trained to offer
such services. “Pharmacists spend five years becoming qualified, and
then like other healthcare professionals, face a lifetime of continued
learning and development,” she says. Asthma is one area that is
focused on, and she has introduced a community pharmacy pathway
to support high-risk patients. The National Review of Asthma Deaths
(NRAD) investigation found that people over-rely on blue rescue
inhalers containing salbutamol, and underuse life-saving preventer
inhalers that contain anti-inflammatory medicines. Cadham has
successfully identified those overusing the wrong inhalers, shown
patients efficient breathing techniques to help medicines reach the
lungs, and has taught families to respond properly to asthma-related
emergencies.
Cadham’s prevention methods have proven extremely successful for
patients. “Motivating people to take control of reducing their risks of
a severe fatal asthma attack has been transformational for my asthma
patients,” Bernadette says. “Their quality of life has massively improved
and their risk of hospital admissions has reduced, with none of my
patients requiring an admission since they have changed their habits.”
This is also the case for those with diabetes, who are given blood tests
to identify haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels at Cadham, just as they
would receive in their GP practices. “I can offer the same clinical care
with my NHS prescription pad as the GP practice,” she continues.
Staying competitive in a digital age
Though community pharmacies like Cadham have innovated and
adapted to the modern market, there are still challenges to be faced
in a digital age. “Online pharmacies are now a real threat to brick-and-
mortar pharmacies like my own,” Bernadette tells us. “They invest
in free, recurring delivery, apps, websites and national advertising
campaigns, and this is grabbing the attention of consumers.”
However, the glue holding the community pharmacy together is
the public trust and support that places like Cadham have garnered.
“The public value what I have done for them, and realise that I have
invested in their health as well as innovative ways to access care and
prescriptions,” Bernadette says.
The Healthera app is one way that Cadham has embraced innovation,
allowing patients to message their highly skilled pharmacists, check
availability, book appointments, receive reminders, and order repeat
prescriptions with the same ease as ordering online. This 24/7 access
to pharmaceutical services is ideal for local residents, particularly those
who lack the time for phone calls and face-to-face appointments. The
pharmacy has also utilised other technological advancements, with
two drug dispensing robots which are used by 600 patients per week.
The German-engineered BD Rowa Smart® robots save 85% of the
time required for stock maintenance, serve 33% more customers per
day, and efficiently package and dispense medicines.
“Time is a precious commodity in any pharmacy, and the robots
allow us to reinvest it into valuable consultations and providing the
most important care,” Bernadette says. The pioneering technology
has been a success for patients of all ages, and was funded by the
Scottish government’s Prescription for Excellence programme.
Cadham also received a significant asset finance facility from Bank
of Scotland, who recognised the pharmacy’s forward-thinking
approach and the fact that it “isn’t afraid to embrace new ways of
doing things to improve the service of customers.” When it comes
to competing in the digital age, Cadham have led the way for the
community pharmacy.
Looking to the future
The future of Cadham Pharmacy looks extremely promising, with
an 11% increase in gross margins since its founding and further
pioneering ideas in the pipeline. “I have more plans to innovate
this year, by connecting and networking with amazing pharmacists
who have been innovators in their own right,” Bernadette tells us.
“I have already started a pain management clinic, utilising bio-
electronic medicines and supporting our elderly in residential care
with medicine management.” As Cadham continues to push the
boundaries of the traditional pharmacy, it shows no signs of slowing
down, and has established itself as a staple of the local community.
Bernadette’s commitment to serving the public and shaping their
perception of her profession is clear, and she sets a precedent for
those triage services finding their feet in an industry that continues
to face a wide range of challenges. As she clarifies, however, she
cannot stay still, and plans to carry on working tirelessly to meet the
ever-changing needs of her patients, and the changing digital world
around them. “The old way of working is no longer enough for the
public,” she says. “And I believe that we have a huge opportunity to
thrive, rather than just surviving.”
The skills and expertise at Cadham Pharmacy
As a health centre for minor ailments, the scope of practice at Cadham
includes chest infections, ear infections, throat infections, sinus
infections, skin infections, shingles, asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) flare ups. Though the team treat or refer
patients who are affected by these illnesses and others, the biggest
focus at Cadham is prevention. Through their Healthera app, patients
can access public health information on weight management,
smoking cessation, diabetes, blood pressure and asthma. Cadham
also deliver a range of clinics, in areas such as pain management,
diabetes prevention and treatment, blood pressure management,
smoking, asthma, chicken pox and acne.
As Bernadette notes, the team at Cadham are highly trained to offer
such services. “Pharmacists spend five years becoming qualified, and
then like other healthcare professionals, face a lifetime of continued
learning and development,” she says. Asthma is one area that is
focused on, and she has introduced a community pharmacy pathway
to support high-risk patients. The National Review of Asthma Deaths
(NRAD) investigation found that people over-rely on blue rescue
inhalers containing salbutamol, and underuse life-saving preventer
inhalers that contain anti-inflammatory medicines. Cadham has
successfully identified those overusing the wrong inhalers, shown
patients efficient breathing techniques to help medicines reach the
lungs, and has taught families to respond properly to asthma-related
emergencies.
Cadham’s prevention methods have proven extremely successful for
patients. “Motivating people to take control of reducing their risks of
a severe fatal asthma attack has been transformational for my asthma
patients,” Bernadette says. “Their quality of life has massively improved
and their risk of hospital admissions has reduced, with none of my
patients requiring an admission since they have changed their habits.”
This is also the case for those with diabetes, who are given blood tests
to identify haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels at Cadham, just as they
would receive in their GP practices. “I can offer the same clinical care
with my NHS prescription pad as the GP practice,” she continues.
Staying competitive in a digital age
Though community pharmacies like Cadham have innovated and
adapted to the modern market, there are still challenges to be faced
in a digital age. “Online pharmacies are now a real threat to brick-and-
mortar pharmacies like my own,” Bernadette tells us. “They invest
in free, recurring delivery, apps, websites and national advertising
campaigns, and this is grabbing the attention of consumers.”
However, the glue holding the community pharmacy together is
the public trust and support that places like Cadham have garnered.
“The public value what I have done for them, and realise that I have
invested in their health as well as innovative ways to access care and
prescriptions,” Bernadette says.
The Healthera app is one way that Cadham has embraced innovation,
allowing patients to message their highly skilled pharmacists, check
availability, book appointments, receive reminders, and order repeat
prescriptions with the same ease as ordering online. This 24/7 access
to pharmaceutical services is ideal for local residents, particularly those
who lack the time for phone calls and face-to-face appointments. The
pharmacy has also utilised other technological advancements, with
two drug dispensing robots which are used by 600 patients per week.
The German-engineered BD Rowa Smart® robots save 85% of the
time required for stock maintenance, serve 33% more customers per
day, and efficiently package and dispense medicines.
“Time is a precious commodity in any pharmacy, and the robots
allow us to reinvest it into valuable consultations and providing the
most important care,” Bernadette says. The pioneering technology
has been a success for patients of all ages, and was funded by the
Scottish government’s Prescription for Excellence programme.
Cadham also received a significant asset finance facility from Bank
of Scotland, who recognised the pharmacy’s forward-thinking
approach and the fact that it “isn’t afraid to embrace new ways of
doing things to improve the service of customers.” When it comes
to competing in the digital age, Cadham have led the way for the
community pharmacy.
Looking to the future
The future of Cadham Pharmacy looks extremely promising, with
an 11% increase in gross margins since its founding and further
pioneering ideas in the pipeline. “I have more plans to innovate
this year, by connecting and networking with amazing pharmacists
who have been innovators in their own right,” Bernadette tells us.
“I have already started a pain management clinic, utilising bio-
electronic medicines and supporting our elderly in residential care
with medicine management.” As Cadham continues to push the
boundaries of the traditional pharmacy, it shows no signs of slowing
down, and has established itself as a staple of the local community.
Bernadette’s commitment to serving the public and shaping their
perception of her profession is clear, and she sets a precedent for
those triage services finding their feet in an industry that continues
to face a wide range of challenges. As she clarifies, however, she
cannot stay still, and plans to carry on working tirelessly to meet the
ever-changing needs of her patients, and the changing digital world
around them. “The old way of working is no longer enough for the
public,” she says. “And I believe that we have a huge opportunity to
thrive, rather than just surviving.”
