Making a smooth transition between secondary and primary care

Abstract

H igh-quality pharmaceutical care demands a smooth transition between the hospital and community setting, and this will only be possible when there is good liaison between the various stakeholders involved in the process. These opinions were expressed by Linda Dodds, the principal pharmacist at the Kent and Canterbury Hospitals, UK, at the recent New Zealand Hospital Pharmacists’ Association and New Zealand College of Pharmacists Conference [ Auckland, New Zealand; October 1996 ]. Although the process of ensuring a smooth transition across the secondary-primary care interface is multidisciplinary, Linda Dodds’ experiences show that a single stakeholder, such as the hospital pharmacy, can be a catalyst for change.