The Development of a pharmaceutical care plan in the Scottish mental health service

Abstract

Abstract

Background

Pharmaceutical care planning is increasingly seen as the most effective manner by which to deliver pharmaceutical care services to the patient. The role of the pharmacist, both specialist and generalist, is paramount, as much of the treatment in Mental Health is dependent on the effective management of the patients medication(1). Consequently, there is a need for standardised pharmaceutical care planning within the speciality. In Scotland, the Mental Health Pharmacy Strategy Group (MHPSG) commissioned a project to develop and implement a care plan document that could be used at a national level. This project has taken on the recommendations from that study to re-design and validate a standardised document for pharmaceutical care planning in a psychiatric in-patient population.

Methods

Recommendations from the MHPSG’s study and candidate care issues specific to mental health pharmacy were identified and incorporated into the re-design of the care plan document. A small field test was then conducted in NHS Lothian, where 12 care plans were completed by six pharmacists. Feedback from this study was used to re-develop a 2nd draft, which was subjected to peer review and assessment by focus group discussion. The focus group consisted of clinical mental health pharmacists from different health board areas who discussed the content, layout and general utility of the document. Findings from this discussion informed the re-development of a final version of the care plan document.

Results

A four page standardised document that will enable a uniform care planning approach within mental health pharmacy.

Conclusion

The development of a national care planning system is a labour intensive process. This project has managed to produce a care plan that may be used as a standard within mental health in-patients after further validation. Whilst the majority of pharmacists are aware of its benefits, several issues became apparent which may impede its implementation and use.