Potential ulcer? Go to the chemist

The radical change reflects proposals for more community-based health services contained in the reform document ‘Transforming Your Care.’

In this case ‘Transforming your Care’ means sending you to the chemist instead of to hospital.

According to health officals more than 500 tests have been carried out since the scheme was introduced and local GPs report that approximately 50 per cent of these patients have avoided attendance at hospital for more invasive diagnostic services such as endoscopies.

Following consultation GPs can now refer their patient directly to participating local pharmacies where the patient can undertake the breath test quickly and conveniently in a community setting.

Local community pharmacists in the Western area have demonstrated their commitment to improving both the quality and accessibility of diagnostic services through the provision of a simple breath test which detects the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria, a major cause of heartburn, stomach discomfort and inflammation, gastritis and ulcers.

Loretto McManus, Pharmacy Lead on the Western Local Commissioning Group, said: “Community Pharmacists, by making this simple and safe breath test available, are facilitating more timely and convenient diagnosis of the Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) infection. This reduces the need for patients to undertake blood tests or attend hospital outpatient appointments for endoscopies.

“Put simply H. pylori is a bacteria that can infect the stomach or duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Without treatment, H. pylori bacteria can cause gastritis, inflammation of the stomach lining and is even thought to cause most stomach or gastric ulcers.

“This early diagnosis of H. pylori is an initial stage in treating stomach ulcers and can prevent ulcers from developing into more serious gastrointestinal conditions.”

The recommendations of the recently published ‘Transforming Your Care’ review report represent a radical change to how health services are delivered in communities, say health officals.

They add: “The provision of the right care in the right place at the right time is a key principle of this change. This pharmacy-based initiative demonstrates the Western Local Commissioning Group’s commitment to developing more effective local services for local people.

“Through working in partnership with colleagues in the Gastroenterology Service at the Western Health and Social Care Trust this primary care alternative to diagnosis and treatment was developed. This contributes to the reduction of waiting lists and lessens pressures on hospital-based diagnostic services.”

Dr Brendan O’Hare, local GP and Chair of the Western Local Commissioning Group, said: “The benefits of this service introduced in November 2011 are two-fold. Firstly the breath test is simple for both the patient and pharmacist.

“It is non-invasive and takes only 30 minutes. Secondly, the referring GP receives the test results directly within 2 working days thereby enabling a quick clinical decision in terms of which treatment is most appropriate for the patient.

“For example, should the test confirm that the patient has the H. pylori infection, antibiotic treatment can be initiated with him or her straight away.”