PATIENTS across Gwent are having their medicines prescribed and reviewed by pharmacists working in GP surgeries, through a care improvement programme.

Thirteen practice-based clinical pharmacists are now working with family doctors, reviewing patients' regular prescription medicines, providing expert advice to GPs, and prescribing medicines themselves.

They also visit patients who are housebound or in care homes.

The idea behind the programme is that having drugs experts on hand can ease the burden on doctors and improve the management of some chronic conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory illnesses.

The clinical pharmacists have been assigned to cover areas of Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly.

“Our work with patients to help manage their medicines relieves work pressures on GPs, freeing up time for doctors to spend with patients," said Lloyd Hambridge, a practice-based clinical pharmacist who is working with seven GP practices in the east of Caerphilly county borough.

"Our work also helps to make appointments at GP surgeries easier to get and improves the quality and safety of prescribing for better patient outcomes.”

The programme also has the potential to help patients better manage their chronic illnesses themselves, in turn reducing the amount of times they may need to see their GP.

Judith Paget, chief executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said clinical pharmacists are helping deliver "a high quality, safe service for our patients."

"This new way of working ensures we are making the most effective use of the skills and experience we have in health and social care,” she said.

The role of the clinical pharmacist is being developed in primary care in health boards across Wales, and Dr Richard Lewis, national professional lead for primary care in Wales, said it provides "an exciting opportunity."

"We must aim to embrace these roles to improve services as soon as possible," he said.

"I have no doubt that GP surgeries and patients will quickly recognise the important role that these clinical pharmacists will play in the future of healthcare.”