A pharmacy chain has teamed up with a local council in a scheme aimed at "breaking down barriers" in the care of adults with learning disabilities.  

Pharmacists at a MedicX Pharmacy branch in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, were the first healthcare professionals to sign up to Hertfordshire County Council's Purple Star Promise scheme to help patients with learning disabilities access healthcare.  

The pharmacy has been working with the council's health liaison team since August to establish the scheme and it is already proving a success with customers, pharmacy manager Herpreet Sharma told C+D yesterday (October 3).  

The scheme will be rolled out across the county to involve dentists, GPs, paramedics and mental health services. MedicX Pharmacy's branch in Bishop Stortford will be the next pharmacy to sign up, Ms Sharma said.

Under the Purple Star Promise scheme, patients' details are logged in a purple folder that they take with them when visiting healthcare practitioners	More on public health initiatives Councils keen to work with pharmacists on public health Pharmacy urged to engage with health and wellbeing boards LPCs guide local authorities through reforms as April 1 looms MORE NEWS
	Pharmacists have received training enabling them to run consultations and create individual care plans that include details about the patient's medical history and medication. The details are logged in a purple folder that the patient takes with them when visiting other healthcare practitioners, Ms Sharma explained.

The pharmacy now has at least 10 patients who have a purple folder, Ms Sharma said. "It shows that more people with learning disabilities want to come to our pharmacy."  

One pharmacist has received specialist training to become a learning disability champion, which enables her to deal with any queries or concerns that may arise among team members or patients.  

The champion is the point of contact between the pharmacy and the council and will eventually become part of "a network of passionate practitioners" once more healthcare professionals get on board, Ms Sharma said.  

"At MedicX Pharmacy, we want to help break down any barriers in healthcare for people with learning disabilities and the Purple Star Promise is our commitment that patients will receive the best care and treatment," Ms Sharma added.  

The scheme was a "real step forward towards removing inequalities in healthcare for people with learning difficulties", said John Barfoot, deputy cabinet member for health and adult care at Hertfordshire County Council.