Job Description

Are you passionate about reshaping mental health care? We're launching an innovative community care centre inspired by world-class models like the Trieste Mental Health Community Network, Navigo in Grimsby, and Clubhouse models in Brixton. We have an incredibly exciting and rare opportunity for an exceptional mental health pharmacist to join the pilot in Lewisham. This centre will hold a major national profile with NHS England who are hoping that the pilot will radically transform how we deliver mental health care. Our ideal candidate will have gained experience with front-line teams and have values that will match the ethos and outcomes of the pilot. The pilot is expected to run for two years, starting in 2025.

The key features include:

A focus on people's life story, their needs and aspirations as determined by them and their networks.

A wider range of purposeful interventions that are not usually resourced, including building trust with professionals.

More therapies, improved medication management, and a range of social interventions including employment, leisure activities, drug and alcohol issues and physical health care.

Addressing inequalities for black communities in mental health services. An aspiration to eliminate waiting times entirely by testing an 'open access' model.

More options to support people whose needs are escalating towards crisis and a 'softer landing' for people experiencing crisis.



The pilot aims to improve quality of life indicators, reduce hospitalisation and coercive practices.

Job Purpose:

To provide an expert pharmacy service to the Lewisham community mental health hub.

To work with the MDTs to ensure effective and appropriate medicines use.

To work with MDTs to optimise the use of psychiatric medication

To work with the MDT to improve physical health outcomes for community mental health patients, for example by participating in vaccination programmes, physical health monitoring, medicines optimisation

To liaise with primary care (including GP practice pharmacists and community pharmacists), acute trusts, HTTs and wards, as necessary

To provide a clinic for patients and carers to discuss medication

To run group medication information sessions for patients and carers

To implement medicines optimisation programmes in the teams

To undertake research, audit and quality improvement projects

To provide medicines related training to staff in community teams, as necessary

To prescribe medicines to service users within competence and agreed management plan

To deprescribe medicines to service users within competence and agreed management plans.

To optimise medicines use to reduce wastage and maximise sustainable use of resources

To record and analyse data for agreed outcome measures.



South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training. SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.



By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field.

PLEASE NOTE:

The role will be initially based at 62 Speedwell Street, London, SE8 4AT, but will relocate to 1 Heather Close, Hither Green, SE13 6UG in November 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

To work in the Lewisham community mental health hub to ensure safe and effective use of medicines. This includes adhering to Trust policies, pharmacy procedures, local and national guidelines, and legal requirements.



To work with the MDT to ensure effective and appropriate medicines use.



To work with the MDT, patients and carers to optimise the use of psychiatric medicines.



To liaise with primary care, acute trusts, HTTs and wards, as necessary



To be responsible for providing a clinical pharmacy service to groups of patients:



Ensure effective outcomes of treatment with medicines



Support the teams to monitor patients for potential and actual adverse effects of their medicines



Support patients after discharge from hospital, which may include telephone consultation or face-to-face follow-up appointments where appropriate



Undertake medicines-related consultations with patients and carers



Provide group medication education sessions to patients and carers



Take steps to ensure patients understand the purpose of their medicines and deal with any practical issues that may prevent the optimal use of their medicines.



To assess medicine regimes both during enquiry answering and/or through referral, providing highly specific advice to other clinical team members on the management of often complex medicine related issues, such as complex drug interactions, high dose antipsychotic prescribing, unlicensed use of medicines etc.



To prescribe medicines within their scope of practice and in line with Trust policy if qualified and registered with the GPhC as an independent pharmacist prescriber.



To be able to present information in a suitable format (e.g. written and/or verbal) and style for the target audience.



To prepare and deliver training for clinical staff (e.g. nurses, support workers, junior doctors) on a wide range of medicines-related issues.



To support local implementation of Trust Medicines Management Policies within own clinical area, and ensure medicines are handled safely and securely within designated clinical areas.



To record and collect data on patient and service outcomes and report these to relevant committees on a regular basis.



To participate in and develop quality improvement initiatives, undertake local and national audits, and engage in research and medicines evaluation as required by the Chief Pharmacist



To participate in any other duties as requested by the Chief Pharmacist in keeping within expectations of the grade.



The Lewisham community mental hub is open 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week. The postholder is invited to discuss opportunities for flexible working in order to deliver services to suit patient and carer needs.



The post holder will be professionally accountable to the Chief Pharmacist.



What We Offer



A Unique Care Model: Join a programme focused on community, social inclusion, and holistic recovery. Supportive Environment: Collaborate with peers, contribute to a recovery-oriented care system, and make a real difference. * Development Opportunities: Be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of mental health care, with training and career growth built-in.