Fife Prescribers Forum

Dunnikier House Hotel
Kirkcaldy
29th October 2008

Present Apologies
Fiona Graham Jennifer Erskine Elaine Stark
Wendy McCormack May Currie Ruth Robins
Gaynor Black Alicia Nelson Dow Anne McEwen
Colette Henderson Sharon Kirk Shirley Fane
Michelle Horne John Campbell Lyne Coyne
Nicky Credland Jacki Taylor Gwyneth Thom
Lyndsey Pert Catriona Marshall Lesley Frew
Susan Chapman Sheila Robertson Ann Marie Gillespie
Susanneke Lucas Rhona Bishop Tracey Murphy
Grace Thompson Gill Dennes Lesley Colquhoun
Lorraine Summers June Lindsay Maureen Pheely
Heather Sheddon Irene Russell Lorna Stewart
Lena Stewart Karen Martin Lorna McKenzie
Janet Boylan Tessa Kidd
Karen Lee

Introduction and welcome and thanks given to Servier, Allen & Hanburys and Boehringer Ingelheim for their financial support for the evening meeting.

Minutes of previous meeting –
Minutes from the last meeting were read by all in attendance, and accepted.
Update on any other meetings
Nicky Credland updated group on Diabetic MCN meeting. Sharps policy is currently being updated. Will initially be for Dunfermline and West Fife CHP, with the intention of roll out to NHS Fife. Tessa Kidd has been writing policy – as sharps bins not prescribed for diabetic patients which means that there is a Health and Safety issue with sharps used by diabetics [sharps are put into general household rubbish]. It will be the responsibility of whoever prescribes the sharps to ensure that provision for safe disposal is provided. A new patient leaflet has been developed. 1 litre sharp bin to be prescribed. Each practice requires a SEPA certificate.
Wendy updated the group that there are now two AHP prescribers – namely Karen and Wendy – and Fiona is studying at the moment. Discussion about courses available at different universities. Also discussed Supplementary Prescribing course vs. the independent prescriber’s course.
Colette advised the group that the Fife Prescribers Website has been updated with new links & AHPs [recently qualified] details could be added to website.
All student prescribers will meet to discuss shadowing – Colette to organise.
Wendy discussed anecdotal evidence that patients are satisfied when CDM clinics are nurse led.
24th November – 9am to 4pm, Respiratory Meeting at Dean Park Hotel, Kirkcaldy. Looking at new asthma guidelines and will cover the topic of Spirometry in children.
17th November [evening] and 20th November [afternoon] Respiratory meetings being run by NHS Fife. Same programme being run twice. All non medical prescribers should have received an invitation to attend one of these meetings – can attend the one that suits them best.
Actions from previous meeting
Karen Lee has contacted Andy Robson [lung function department] at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary re Spirometry in Children. No response as yet. Also contacted Anne Ritchie re the same – again no response as yet. Karen has been asked to e mail the group when she has a response rather than wait until the next meeting to discuss it.
Karen is also waiting on dates for Molly Courtney to come to meeting. Group agreed that spring would be a good time for her to come to the meeting.
Discussed X Ray challenges again. Still no further forward with this. Course completed by many, but no guidance as when they can start referring as yet.
Fife Formulary – nurse Rx input
Question asked re would anyone like to attend the Fife Formulary Development Group meeting. Primary care representation is needed. The meeting lasts for about 2 hours, and is held every 6 – 8 weeks. Heather Sheddon, Michelle Horne, Gaynor Black, and Lorraine Summers are all interested – issues were raised about using their clinical time to attend a meeting. Colette will discuss with NHS Fife re if the practice could be reimbursed to allow them to attend before any decisions are made about who would be keen to attend.
What’s on your mind?
Barcodes on Prescriptions – question asked if this will be introduced for all NMPs. Yes was the answer – some systems e.g. emiss already have this on their system.
Emiss being introduced in some practices – St Andrews have just had it installed. Good points raised so far are BNF live on system, good patient information leaflets, emis templates can be changed – it also seems that the information that is input into system drills through all the various screens.
Heather enquired about paperless/paperlight practice when awaiting for notes. Same challenges faced in secondary care – concerns about awaiting notes and sending letters to surgery – this can take up to 2 weeks. Most concerning is issues with stopping drugs when in hospital and not clear when / if they need to be restarted.
Awaiting a possible system for everyone to access notes from primary and secondary care.
Update from NMP Advisor
Colette’s NPM frequently asked questions booklet is almost finalised.
Clinical Supervision events planned
1. Minor Ailments.
2. CMPs in practice Pod/Pharm/Nurses [Best Practice Guides]
3. Fife Formulary
4. Scenarios

CPD events planned
Pain Management meeting – planned for February next year
Wound Care / soft tissue injuries also planned for next year. Date TBC.
Date of next meeting
Date of next meeting set for Tuesday 3rd February 2009 at the Dunnikier House Hotel.
Meeting summary and close
Everyone thanked for attending the meeting, and the meeting was brought to a close.