Innovative Virtual Wards have been set up in Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBU HB). The focus is to provide wrap around, holistic and patient focused care in a community environment. National legislation (A Healthier Wales) determines that as Health Boards community care should be expanded, reserving inpatient care for those who truly need.
As a new pharmacist role, it has adapted to the change and growth over the last twelve months. The clinical pharmacist team carry out structured medication reviews via telephone triage and home visit assessments. Using our clinical skills pharmacists will visit patients at home and carry out basic observations.
• 823 patients were reviewed in the latter half of last year with 7,856 medications reviewed.
• The clinical pharmacists recommended 1,698 interventions of which 96.9% was agreed and approved.
• In 89.4% of all patients referred there was at least one intervention suggested and 727 medications were stopped
