The provision of good information from the community to hospital when a patient is admitted may be of considerable help. Uncertainty over a patient's pre-admission therapy is a very commonly encountered problem for all hospital pharmacists. On admission to hospital, parents and children are often unclear about which medicines are taken and when, and they often do not bring their drugs with them. Community pharmacists could be of help in this situation as their patient medication record systems can answer these questions. The pharmaceutical care needs of children in the community offer much scope for pharmacists to extend their role.
Children are now less likely to be admitted to hospital and are discharged earlier than in the past.
Care in the community will involve children receiving more intensive therapy at home. Many of their requirements may be met by home care teams or outreach nurses from hospital. As drug regimens become more complex, compliance deteriorates. The use of compliance aids, such as dosettes, can help. The community pharmacy may be the first port of call for a parent with an unwell child.