Pharmacists at three Jersey pharmacies will now be able to access parts of patients’ medical records in an initiative aimed at providing faster and more effective care.
Reids Pharmacy in Longueville, the Co-op Pharmacy at New Era Health Centre, and LV Pharmacy in Beresford Street are participating in the scheme.
Selected pharmacists will be able to view information about a patient’s medication and prescription history, vaccinations, allergies and relevant medical conditions.
The records will be accessed through the Electronic Medical Information System – known as EMIS – which is also commonly used by GP practices and other healthcare providers.
Officials said pharmacists would only consult the information when it was needed to support a patient’s care.
The initiative is intended to reduce delays and the need for patients to return to a pharmacy when further information is required, including when medicines are being dispensed or flu vaccinations are provided.
It is also hoped that direct access to accurate records will allow pharmacists, GPs and other healthcare professionals to work together more efficiently.
Social Security Minister Elaine Millar said: “Giving pharmacists access to the right medical information will help them provide more effective care.
“Whether they’re offering advice or dispensing medicines, having the information they need means Islanders can receive the best possible care, while their privacy remains protected.”
LV Pharmacy superintendent pharmacist Matt Johnson explained that pharmacies could already request information from GP surgeries, but said that direct digital access would make the process quicker and more reliable.
“Information will only be accessed when there is a clear clinical reason for doing so and when it is relevant to the care being provided,” he added.
“Pharmacies can already obtain information from GP surgeries when needed, but digital access will improve the speed, accuracy and efficiency of that communication.”
