Method of data collection Addressing inequalities in the provision of pharmaceutical services in Scotland: a proof of concept study of telepharmacy in rural Scotland Bond CM1, Inch J1, Notman F1, on behalf of the Tele-pharmacy Research Team 1 Centre of Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen Baseline findings: Blah blah blah BACKGROUND: Demand for NHS services is increasing Delivery of NHS services is changing Limited access to community pharmacy in remote areas1 Community pharmacy services in rural areas provided by video-linkage technology, integrated within a medicines supply robot2 Source Finding Resident focus group Satisfied with current community pharmacy service including prescription collection and delivery service. Would like easier access to pharmacy services for the older population HCP interviews/focus groups New service would improve access and reduce GP workload. Concerns about resources, costs, maintenance, and impact on other providers Resident questionnaire Majority would use collection and delivery service (61.5%), GSL purchase (59%), advice on prescribed medicines (53%), eMas(51%). 18% would not access any service or advice AIM : To assess the feasibility, acceptability and scope of providing community pharmacy services via a video link and a supply robot (a tele-pharmacy robotic supply service) METHOD: Service specification: Prescription form collection and delivery Purchase of General Sales List (GSL) medicines (NHS Grampian formulary) Advice The Minor Ailment Service (eMAS) Supply of pharmacy only (P) medicines on an individual basis National health promotion campaigns RESULTS: Participants: References: 1..Porteous T, Bond C. Novel provision of pharmacy services to a deprived area: a pharmaceutical needs assessment. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice 2003; 11(1): 47-54. 2. King, Lotus S. Remote Pharmacy: it’s closer than you think. The Pharmaceutical Journal 2014; 293: 11-13. Acknowledgements: The Telepharmacy Research Team David Green (Atos), M.Watson1, J Cleland1, D Heaney1, C Hind (NHS Grampian), J Ferguson (NHS Grampian) F Mair (University of Glasgow), B McKinstry (University of Edinburgh) A Strath (Robert Gordon University) This research has been funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government and an Atos Innovation Fund Award Desired services: Follow-up: Services accessed: medicines and prescriptions Kiosk development Baseline data Follow up data Hardware Software Service specification Stock Resident focus group Resident questionnaire Professional/stakeholder interviews Pharmacy staff GP staff Pharmacist focus group Service use data User/resident questionnaire Patient/user interviews Professional/ stakeholder interviews Questionnaire 112 (29%) Accessing services (6 users) HCP Interviews 6 (66.7%) Respondents mostly female (65%) (n=73) aged 50 -69 years 37% (n=41) 32% retired (n=36) The majority rated their health as good to excellent 36% lack of personal need to use service (i.e. no health compliant or had medicines at home) 31% preferred regular pharmacy Feedback from users (6) All extremely satisfied/satisfied Accessibility, convenience, efficiency and being simple to operate were highlighted as good Bigger range of non-prescription medicines requested Service easy to use, staff helpful Barriers Fear of technology Lack of awareness of pharmacy services e.g. eMAS ‘Wrong’ pharmacy Errors with phone numbers Facilitators Collection and delivery service more secure Convenience of access in rural areas Video link preferred to telephone consultation Acceptable privacy * Method of data collection Number invited Number responding (%) Baseline Resident Questionnaires 400 154 (40%) Baseline Resident Focus Group 40 4 (10.0%) Baseline Healthcare Professional (HCP) Interviews 24 9 (37.5%) Baseline NHS Grampian Pharmacist Focus Group 12 6 (41.6%) Follow-up Resident Questionnaire 385 112 (29%) Follow-up Resident Interviews 30 14 (46.7%) Follow-up HCP Interviews 9 6 (66.7%) CONCLUSION: Remotely delivering pharmacy services to a rural community via tele-kiosk is acceptable and feasible Future implementation needs to consider Multiple links to all nearby pharmacies/other health care providers Clarification of printing capability e.g. labels Interface with ADASTRA (a clinical patient management system) /N3 link(national broadband network for the NHS)/and GP systems Clarification of legal issues around P sales, emergency hormonal contraception supply, remote ordering and supply of pharmacy only medicines. Capacity Physical requirements of remote location and confidentiality