Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Award

Introduction of a specialist independent prescribing Pharmacists into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) : Hertfordshire Partnership University FT

We developed an innovative delivery model, that demonstrated a clear role for independent prescribing Pharmacists in the community CAMHS setting, in operating Pharmacist led ADHD clinics and optimising medicines as part of the CAMHS MDT. The model demonstrated value in (a) supporting medical recruitment challenges, (b) supporting managing the increasing demand for CAMHS services, (c) resolving issues surrounding shared care with primary care and (d) ensuring evidence based prescribing. The evaluation found that the pharmacist’s roles were highly accepted by other health professionals, children, young people and their families.