How can a pharmacy benefit from (POCT)
How can a pharmacy benefit from (POCT)
The RPS, GPhC and NHS England have produced documentation covering the reasons, setting up and benefits to a community pharmacy offering Point of Care Testing as part of NHS services . It can be found at the following link. NHS POCT
Numerous healthcare barriers create poor patient outcomes, including lack of GP surgery appointments or transportation issues. The health care system is struggling to meet patients’ needs while dealing with provider shortages and other pressing public health concerns. In underserved areas, POCT decreases patient burden, is accessible, and saves time.
Most people even in rural settings in the UK, live very close to a community pharmacy, making pharmacies readily accessible. In recent years community pharmacies have offered COVID-19 POCT in addition to administering vaccines e.g. COVID + Influenza, supporting the decisions for the appropriate support of treatment to eligible patients.
In addition, patients report that they are comfortable with pharmacists. They visit pharmacies twice as often as they see their GP because pharmacists communicate well to increase health literacy and patient understanding. POCT offered by pharmacists can help identify any healthcare issues earlier / shortest time to treatment, and pharmacists can also recommend symptomatic treatment relief for certain conditions.
Very importantly POCT can be a substantial revenue stream for a community pharmacy and with more and more POCT being offered this can only help boost revenue streams further.