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Guide to NHS Direct Medicines Q&As and Dental Q&As
Background
The NHS Direct Medicines Q&As and Dental Q&As are a joint project between NHS Direct and the UK Medicines Information (UKMI) group. Two pharmacists have been appointed by UKMI to lead this project. Other pharmacists may be involved in writing, checking and updating the Q&As.
Using Q&As
Each Q&A provides an answer to a question related to medicines. Both the Medicines Q&As and the Dental Q&As may be used by medicines-trained Health Information Advisers (HIAs), as well as by Nurse Advisors (NAs) and Pharmacist Advisors (PhAs). Medicines-trained Dental Nurse Advisors (DNAs) may use all Dental Q&As as well as certain approved Medicines Q&As as indicated in the document ‘Medicines Q&As Approved for use by DNAs’. The Q&As may contain some sensitive or complex information and are therefore only available for viewing via the NHS Direct Intranet rather than being freely available to members of the public or other healthcare professionals. Information for the public may be found on the NHS Choices website.
The Medicines Q&As and the Dental Q&As are located on the NHS Direct Intranet under ‘Medicines and Poisons Information Resources’.The Q&As are then grouped according to the subject of the Q&A. For example a Q&A about medicines in pregnancy can be found in the ‘Pregnancy Related Medicines Enquiry’ folder.
The Q&As are written by experienced pharmacists and are comprehensively researched. They undergo a rigorous checking process and are fully referenced. They are updated regularly to ensure they contain the most up to date information. An NHS Direct Q&A can confidently be used as a sole source of information.
Each Q&A is written in a similar style following a standard template. A summary is provided to help provide the most important information to a caller but the entire Q&A should be read to ensure you are fully informed. It is particularly important to check the section that details any limitations to the information provided by the Q&A.
In usual circumstances a copy of the entire Q&A should not be provided to a caller and you should not attempt to relay the entire answer to a caller. Instead the Q&A should be used to provide the relevant information needed to effectively answer the caller’s question. If the Q&A doesn’t provide the information needed to effectively answer a caller’s question or if there are additional circumstances or any limitations that apply, the call should be referred to UKMI.
Contacts
If you have any comments or would like to discuss a particular NHS Direct Q&A, or if you would like to make suggestions for future Q&As please contact your Lead UKMI pharmacist or your local UKMI centre (details below).
Leading Pharmacists for Q&As
Katie Taylor, Leading Medicines Information Pharmacist (NHS Direct), Wessex Regional Drug and Medicines Information Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Samantha Owen, Leading Medicines Information Pharmacist (NHS Direct), Wessex Regional Drug and Medicines Information Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.
UKMI Lead Pharmacists and Centres
NHS Direct Site / UKMI Lead Pharmacist / Email address / UKMi Centre Telephone NumberNW Coast
Manchester, Chester and Wirral / Jill Rutter / / 0151 794 8115
Midlandshires
Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull / Contact Ruth Cheema / / 0121 424 9539
South Yorkshire & South Humbs
East Midlands
Thames Valley & Northants / Ruth Cheema / / 0116 258 6491
North East / Paula Russell / / 0191 232 1525
Tees East & North Yorkshire
West Yorkshire / Anniela Iqbal / / 0113 245 0530
Anglia / Katie Smith / / 0147 370 4430
London NE
London West
Essex
Beds & Hertfordshire / Wynn Pevreal / / 0208 869 2763
London South
Kent, Sussex & Surrey / Davina Wraight / / 0207 378 0023
Avon, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire
West Country / Alison Alvey / / 0117 928 2867
Hampshire & Isle of Wight / Katie Taylor / / 023 8079 6908/9
NHS Direct Associates
Anne Joshua, Associate Director of Pharmacy
Links
Common Health Questions on the NHS Choices website:
Quality Assurance
Prepared by: Samantha Owen, Leading Medicines Information Pharmacist (NHS Direct), Wessex Regional Drug and Medicines Information Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
Date of Preparation: December 2008 (partial review 10th January 2010)
Checked by: Katie Taylor, Leading Medicines Information Pharmacist (NHS Direct), Wessex Regional Drug and Medicines Information Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
Date of Check: 9th December 2008 (partial review checked 15th February 2010)
Review Date: December 2011