Monklands Hospital was visited by Scotland’s chief pharmaceutical officer, Rose Marie Parr, who was interested to learn about two innovative projects.

A pilot programme in AMRU (acute medical receiving unit) on allergy awareness produced an increase in compliance with key safety checks, including comprehensive documentation and use of red wristbands.

AMRU senior clinical pharmacist Anthony Carson said: “We used novel strategies such as Allergy Awareness Week and a practical antibiotic categories quiz for staff.

“The project followed a hospital audit on allergy which highlighted issues with documentation and awareness of allergies, in particular penicillin allergy.”

The chief pharmaceutical officer also heard about a fresh approach to chemotherapy prescribing.

Cancer care pharmacist John Houston said: “The project’s aims were to create extra outpatient capacity for chemotherapy prescribing, improve the efficiency of the chemotherapy service, ensure prescribing quality was as good as the current service and to have a satisfactory patient experience.

“The results showed compelling evidence that pharmacy non-medical prescribing helps manage capacity and improve quality and safety for patients, whose feedback was very positive.

“Significantly improved quality of prescribing was shown when pharmacist prescribers were involved, and combining their expertise with cancer care nursing staff provides an excellent team approach, allowing medical staff to focus on new patients and more complex cases.”