Community pharmacy chain gains access to GM Care Record

Community pharmacy chain Well Pharmacy has signed up for access to the Greater Manchester (GM) Care Record to allow its pharmacists to provide safer and more effective services for patients across the region.

The GM Care Record, which launched in 2020, provides health and social care professionals with health information including medications, allergies, test results, and care plans, for the region’s 2.8 million people.

After requesting access in early November 2024, more than 60 Well Pharmacy locations will be able to view essential health and social care data, with the aim of giving pharmacists the data to make better-informed decisions about prescribed medications or referrals.

George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: “We are thrilled to be the first chain of community pharmacies in Greater Manchester to request access.

“Signing our pharmacies up to the GM Care Record allows our pharmacists access to real time, comprehensive patient data across the region, allowing us to make more informed and effective decisions.

“The seamless sharing of information also enhances collaboration with other healthcare professionals, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care across all settings.”

The access enables them to quickly identify potential drug interactions and contraindications, resulting in safer prescribing and dispensing processes.

Pharmacists can view essential patient information, including medication history, blood pressure records, lifestyle notes, and immunisation details, which can help support flu and Covid-19 immunisation services.

Luvjit Kandula, director of pharmacy transformation at Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said, “We’re delighted that Well Pharmacy has become the first chain of community pharmacies in Greater Manchester to request access to the GM Care Record.

“The ease of access to the GM Care Record via the electronic patient record system means pharmacists can see health and social care information without signing in to another system which is what pharmacists need when they must make important decisions quickly.”

Access to vital patient information is aimed to support greater efficiency within pharmacies, reducing pressure on both pharmacists and GP practices by reducing the need to call or email colleagues in primary care, or any health services across Greater Manchester.

In July 2024, NHS Greater Manchester announced plans to go live with digital care plans in the GM Care Record for patients with dementia and heart failure.

At the same time the My GM Care App was launched to provide patients with access to key information within the GM Care Record, including the new care plans.