fIVE MInUTES WITh... Una o’farrell


Tell us about yourself I am 32 years young, and live in Maghera with my husband. I enjoy keeping fit and spending time with my friends and family. We also enjoy travelling - when schedules allow!


When did you qualify I qualified in 2006 and, after completing my studies at Queen’s University in Belfast, I complemented a thoroughly enjoyable pre-reg year in Coagh Pharmacy under the tutelage of John o'Brien.


Career path to date Since qualifying, I have been fortunate to secure continued and ongoing work as a self-employed pharmacist. This has been predominantly through locum work, with both regular set days and other days where I go wherever I’m needed. I have been part of all aspects of the pharmacy business: from stock management, to nursing home services, to submission of scripts, to medidose preparation. More recently, I have taken up place as pharmacy lead on the Causeway ICP, which involves working with other healthcare professionals, patient groups and carers to ultimately improve patient journeys. I have found that working on the ICP and staying self employed keeps me motivated and interested, and allows me an open mind when considering pharmacy issues.


In what sort of environment is your pharmacy located I'm probably not suitable to answer this question as ‘my pharmacy’ changes from day to day, and, as such, could be in a town or a village, and be a multiple or an independent. Most frequently though, I work in Wilkinson Chemist in garvagh, which is an independently owned, single pharmacy in the town. It also serves a large outlying area. As in other areas, the ageing population means that a high incidence of chronic conditions drives the workload.


How do you think pharmacy has changed as a profession during the years that you have been practising? In many ways, there has seen little progress or change within pharmacy over the least ten years, with dwindling opportunities to showcase our ability to provide quality services. Knowing well the skill set that exists, it been frustrating to not see the profession become more embedded in various aspects of patient care.


What's next for pharmacy? Who knows? We can only hope! from my own personal perspective, I would hope that the primary care structures that are currently in place will take community pharmacy along the journey of health service reform and engage with us more effectively. from our end, I hope that we recognise the opportunities to prove our worth when they are presented to us, so that we can remain key in improving patient outcomes.


UCA MEMBEr SUrVEy UCA issued a member survey recently to ask for feedback on our services and


gain some insight into current business conditions. Thank you to everyone who has responded so far - the information you have provided is invaluable. The survey will be open until end of May and the winner of the £50 of UCA services will be announced in the next issue of Pharmacy in focus.


PATIEnT SAfETy: InSPIrIng ChAngE Patient safety is the top agenda for the PPrB (Pharmacy Professional &


representative Bodies) and an event is being held on 9 May at the Templepatrick hilton to highlight the role of the pharmacist in reducing risk and preventing harm to the patient. A range of innovative solutions will be exhibited which can help you improve your patient safety standards. register for the event through the Pharmacy forum pages on www.psni.org.uk.


UCA Pre-registration Training Programme 17-18


• high quality training developing competence & confidence in your Pre-registration Pharmacist


• Training venues in Belfast & Cookstown • 8-day programme Sept – May


• Training delivered by Sharon McEvoy MPS plus expert guest speakers including specialist pharmacists


• Mix of clinical and practical learning preparing the trainee for their career ahead


• Exam preparation, portfolio group work and supportive structured learning


UCA Member rate: £350 + VAT


BOOK NOW Email: info@uca.org.uk


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