How to get the best from your GP

The Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Pharmacy Service exists to proactively support staff, service users and carers in achieving safe and effective medicines management, optimising the use of medicines by providing a high quality and friendly service.

We do this by providing:

• Accurate and independent information and education about medicines to other healthcare professionals, service users and carers

• Clinical and dispensing activities to facilitate the management of medicines by service users within inpatient and community teams

• Support to ensure that medicines management resources are used cost effectively within Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

We have a pharmacy staffed with specialist pharmacists and technicians at Carleton clinic in Carlisle. These staff also provide support and advice to mental health services in West Cumbria. We also have a specialist pharmacist based in Dane Garth, Barrow-in-Furness, who provides a clinical pharmacy service to inpatient units in Barrow, Ulverston and Kendal. Dispensing and supply of medicines in the Carlisle area is from the Carleton clinic pharmacy, and from the local acute trust hospital pharmacies in other parts of the Trust.

Pharmacy contact details:

• Carleton clinic pharmacy 01228 602006. General opening hours are Monday – Wednesday 1pm to 3pm, Thursday 11am to 3pm, Friday 10am – 5pm.

• Pharmacy, West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven 01946 523468

• Pharmacy, Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness 01229 491150

• Pharmacy, Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal 01539 795271

• Staff across Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have access to on-call pharmacy services outside of these hours, via the local acute hospital on-call service

• Cumbria Partnership Direct 0800 171 2333. This 24 hour helpline is for anyone who has any concerns about mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol issues.