Keywords: To demonstrate the value of community pharmacy in: • helping the older population to be ‘winter fit’ during the winter period • integrating and personalising care around the patient • supporting the local community to cope with winter pressures • reduce burden on healthcare by preventing avoidable admissions

Introduction:

Funded by SWL Innovation Fund, ‘Winter Fit’ intervention was delivered as a pilot scheme across the 6 boroughs of SWL. This was a collaboration between LPC, South London Partnership and the ICB, with the ICB supporting governance process in terms of contract set-up and finance arrangements. Winter Fit was based on the premise that the community pharmacist has a central role in community engagement and support around the older population. Community pharmacies are highly accessible, located in the heart of communities where people live, work and shop and many pharmacies are open for extended hours in the evenings. As well as the opportunistic possibilities, a substantial proportion of over 65s have repeat prescriptions and are regular customers.

Case:

Whilst 102 pharmacies signed up, 80 completed training and 10,000 interventions given within 4 weeks across SWL reaching 9922 between Feb 22nd and March 22nd 2023. Vast majority of customers were aged 75+ years (N=5311). 88.7% of the conversations were on winter warmth, followed by warm places (80.4%) and cost of living support (72.4%). Conversations used a MECC approach and so were guided by what the customer wanted to have information on. Over half of all conversations included what was available for care in the home, increasing connectedness and prevention of falls and respiratory illnesses. 14.3% were referred onwards to a GP, social prescriber, or social support.

Discussion:

‘Winter Fit’ is a holistic support package using Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach
‘Winter Fit’ demonstrated the key role pharmacies play in prevention and protection of older SWL residents. The most active pharmacies were in low socio-economic areas with the least activity in the least deprived areas. This should be built upon, and pharmacies more widely used in personalised care and social prescribing, helping their local communities live healthier and longer.