Category: Pharmacy Training

Breastfeeding and Drugs In Breast Milk: What Pharmacists Need To Know

drugs in breast milk

Breastfeeding is one of the most important things a mother can do for her baby but what about the concerns around drugs in breast milk? And why do 80% of mothers in the UK prematurely stop breastfeeding? Since many women have to take medication for certain conditions, they may be unsure whether it is safe… Read more »

Atrial Fibrillation Detection, Symptoms and Treatment

atrial fibrillation

In an earlier article, we discussed hypertension and the role of pharmacies in performing blood pressure checks. Following on from the NHS blood pressure checks service is atrial fibrillation detection. Here, we look at what atrial fibrillation is, some of the common symptoms, its causes and when a patient needs to see a GP for… Read more »

Self-Care for Low Acuity Conditions of the Ear, Nose and Throat

Self-Care For Low Acuity Conditions

It is possible for patients to practise self-care for low acuity conditions, especially since approximately 80% of all care in the UK is self-care. At VirtualOutcomes, we strongly advise medical professionals to promote the benefits of self-care to the community they serve. GPs and community pharmacies should place the highest priority on providing the best… Read more »

Vitamin D And The Vital Role It Plays In Our Lives

vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for our overall health. Not only does it regulate more than 2,000 of the 30,000 human genes but it also plays a significant role in immune function and physical performance.  In addition, Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium which promotes strong and healthy bone growth…. Read more »

Discharge Medicines Service Within The CPCF

Discharge Medicines Service

The NHS Discharge Medicines Service is a new essential service for community pharmacies that commenced on 15 February 2021. All community pharmacy contractors must ensure that relevant staff, including pharmacists including Locums and pharmacy technicians, have the necessary knowledge and competence to undertake it safely.

Spotting The Signs Of Meningitis

Meningitis is a rare, but serious illness that affects the membranes, also known as meninges, which cover the brain and spinal cord. You or your children can be infected as it can spread from person to person. Those most at risk are babies, elderly people and anyone with a compromised immune system. It’s not easy… Read more »

Sepsis: Early Detection And Pharmacy Training

sepsis training

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and can be fatal if not detected early on. Identifying sepsis can be difficult as there are several possible symptoms to look out for. It becomes even harder to spot in babies, children, dementia sufferers, people with learning disabilities and those who generally struggle to communicate. While it is treatable,… Read more »

Vitamins, Minerals And A Healthy Diet

Every day we make conscious decisions about what to eat and drink but it’s not always easy to follow a healthy diet. While some foods are better than others, not all of them contain the necessary vitamins and minerals. Considering the many roles that vitamins and minerals play in our bodies, we cannot ignore their… Read more »

How To Recognise Stroke Symptoms

Amongst several other serious medical conditions, strokes are the 4th largest killer in the UK. In fact, someone suffers from a stroke every five minutes and it can happen to anyone of any age, gender or race. In simple terms, one can think of strokes as a ‘brain attack’. The reality is that while there are… Read more »

Bowel Cancer Screening And Early Diagnosis

Bowel cancer, often referred to as colorectal cancer, can be a serious condition if left undiagnosed and untreated. Cells in a healthy body divide naturally and grow in a controlled way but when cancer develops, cells change and often grow erratically. In terms of bowel cancer, the cancer cells could stay in the bowel but… Read more »