1.6 Collaboration with others

We will look in depth at collaboration in our later toolkits about Designing and Implementing a Service and Learning from Practice. Here we briefly introduce some areas for consideration.

Within the pharmacy

Weight management is a service where all members of the team can contribute to success. What are the elements that can only be provided by the pharmacist? How can different team members contribute? How will the team collect and update information on local activities and facilities to link with external resources?

As part of a local multidisciplinary team

Because the vast majority of GLP-1 supply is privately funded, GPs may not know who is using them — so many patients’ medical records are currently incomplete. Pharmacy teams are used to seeking consent from people for sharing key information with GPs and this will strengthen patient safety.

GP practices are likely to be positive about pharmacy-provided services provided they know what is happening and are reassured on quality and clinical governance. Briefing and information are essential in preparing the ground. Who will do this and how?

With local organisations and groups

Pharmacies are used to collating information and signposting to health-related organisations, activities and groups. Many already have a team member responsible for this and a champion for healthy living services.