Working in partnership with GP practices on antimicrobial stewardship

Pharmacists managing sore throat may wish to talk their strategy through with local GP practices. For example: how do GPs manage patients with sore throats; how do they use their clinical scoring systems (CENTOR or FeverPAIN); what interventions do they advise for symptomatic relief – all are important issues. 

Agreeing a common approach ensures that patients are not confused by variations in practice and will enhance consistency and continuity of care. This will also mean there is a commonality of approach if patients wish to seek a further opinion with other primary care providers. 

It may be that the integrated care board or local primary care network have an agreed plan of work for this important area of antibiotic prescribing. So liaising with the local clinical leads, particularly those for antimicrobial stewardship, would be useful.

Reflection exercise

Make contact with your local GP practice/s and:
• Ask them which patients with sore throat they intend to refer to your pharmacy and which patients they would like you to refer to them
• Share with them which clinical scoring system you are using and the OTC treatment recommendations you will be making.