In 2019 Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust (HTFT) introduced a ward-based Pharmacy Technicians to their mental health inpatient units. The aim of the Pharmacy Technicians was to influence a wide range of service improvements including increased patient safety, reduced waiting time for dispensed medicines, nursing time-saving, a reduction in medicine costs and pharmaceutical waste, and improved care transition.
To support the HTFT research team we conducted a rapid review of previous studies in the area. While the search identified over 1,000 potentially relevant studies the level of maturity of the literature was found to be poor, with the majority reporting small uncontrolled case studies, with limited consideration of the broad impacts of the models of care. Those which were relevant almost exclusively found a positive impact with pharmacy technician.
We are now working closely with the HTFT research team to secure funding to conduct the much-needed research in this area.
