The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has been commissioned by the government in Wales to carry out an independent review of how clinical pharmacy services in NHS hospitals might develop.

The RPS said the review will be informed by what it described as the “many excellent and innovative examples of good practice already happening in hospitals in Wales” and it will also look beyond the UK for other models that might be of benefit in supporting the “immediate and longer-term priorities of the NHS".

The review will examine how the greater use of digital technology can improve services, the expected roll-out of electronic prescribing in all hospital in Wales and changes to undergraduate education that will see all pharmacists become prescribers by the time they register in 2026.

The chief pharmaceutical officer for Wales Andrew Evans said the review will “ensure the skills and expertise of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in the NHS are best utilised” to meet the “significant challenges” posed by urgent and emergency and planned care.

“I am delighted the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has been commissioned to support the review of clinical pharmacy services provided in NHS hospitals in Wales. Hospital pharmacy practice has always been at the forefront of innovation in the delivery of pharmaceutical care,” he said.

The RPS said the review will culminate in “a set of recommendations and blueprints” that will “inform the transformation of clinical services provided by pharmacy teams".

Meanwhile, the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group, of which the RPS is a member, has urged the government and the NHS in Wales to bring about the “urgent transformation” of mental health services to alleviate the pressure on the country’s health system.

The Group made four recommendations; “critical changes” to the delivery and structure of mental health services across the community, hospital and specialist secure settings; equal access to services for the most vulnerable patients; improving the workforce’s well-being to prevent people leaving their jobs and ensuring care is provided continuously, safely and effectively; and using skills from a variety of professions and increasing the number of specialist mental health professionals.

The Group recently met with members of the Senedd in Cardiff to highlight its work in the year since it was formed and explain the importance of ensuring a multi-disciplinary workforce can provide care for people with mental health conditions.

The RPS director for Wales Elen Jones said it was “very important” to have an input from pharmacy to inform the Group’s work through “evidence and examples of good pharmacy practice to drive forward service innovation.”

Pictured is Neath Port Talbot Hospital.