Q&A
In thE LatESt of oUr tEn QUEStIonS SErIES, thE Uca’S PharmacISt rEPrESEntatIon groUP PUt thEIr QUEStIonS to PharmacY forUm managEr, JULIE grEEnfIELd.
tEn QUEStIonS
can YoU ExPLaIn thE roLE of thE PharmacY forUm, ItS maIn fUnctIonS and fUndamEntaL aImS? We are uniquely placed as the professional leadership body for all pharmacists in northern Ireland. the forum works hard to ensure that we deliver strong, focused and agile leadership that is responsive to the needs of the profession, both now and in the future.
What do YoU EnJoY moSt aboUt YoUr PoSItIon aS PharmacY forUm managEr? the thing I definitely enjoy most of all, is working with pharmacists and stakeholders from a diverse range of practice settings. am incredibly fortunate to work in an environment that is constantly evolving in terms of the issues we address and this challenges me, which I enjoy.
What dId YoU do bEforE YoUr cUrrEnt PoSt? I previously worked for 20 years as a pharmacist for bairds chemists, alliance Pharmacy and then boots. I have been a pharmacy manager, area manager and then became Senior manager with responsibility for buying marketing and logistics for the 50+ stores in nI.
What haS bEEn thE bIggESt SUccESS StorY for thE forUm? In my opinion, the ability over the last five years to be a growing platform for the professional voice for such a diverse range of pharmacists and their practice is a success in itself. the forum board has elected members and representation from cPnI, Uca and ghP as well as co-options for skills and expertise all
42 - PharmacY In focUS
sitting round the table together to lead the profession.
We have developed the opportunities to work collaboratively, eg, through PPrb, to extend that network to nPa and Pda to speak, where possible, with a united voice.
the continued success is built on pharmacists who give their time and expertise participating in our committees, working groups and Special Interest groups to set policy, write guidance, describe best practice and provide leadership etc.
recent successes have been the production of clinical check guidance and the medicines optimisation in the Elderly guidance and new for this year a Special Interest group for Practice based Pharmacists which will launch in the autumn.
What traInIng EvEntS arE thE PharmacY forUm conSIdErIng for 2017-2018? hoW can WE contrIbUtE to thE contEnt? the Education and research committee lead the programme around support and development for the profession. the programme, which includes production of professional guidance and events, is member-led and responsive to emerging needs of the profession.
Whilst the committee build the programme using their wide range of experience and practice and feedback from key stakeholders, any pharmacist can feed in a development need for consideration to the forum board, committee members or simply via our website.
the 2017-18 programme is being developed now for launch in the autumn, but will continue with themes including personal professional development, leading change and the very popular clinical training nights relating to the interest groups.
thE PaSS mEntorShIP ProgrammE SoUndS LIKE a grEat IdEa. thanks for your interest in the programme. PaSS has now completed recruitment and training of a team of mentors from a range of pharmacy sectors, and we aim to launch programme pilot in the coming weeks.
the programme will facilitate a structured approach to professional development by connecting those who are new in their pharmacy careers, or returning to practice, with a more knowledgeable, experienced pharmacist. We will monitor interest and uptake throughout the year and run a second mentor recruitment drive later in the year, if necessary.
WIth thE StaLEmatE ovEr thE LEgISLatIon rEgardIng IP annotatIon, What do YoU fEEL thE forUm can do to EScaLatE thIS ISSUE oncE Stormont gEtS UP and rUnnIng agaIn? as it stands currently, this is really a matter for the regulator to progress. there has been a public consultation, to which we responded, and the next stage in the process is to lay the amended legislation with respect to IP annotation in the assembly by negative resolution for 30 days.
as you have pointed out, there has to be an active assembly up and running and this has been the stumbling block to date.
What IS thE PharmacY forUm doIng In rEgardS to thE dEcrImInaLISatIon of dISPEnSIng ErrorS? I represent the Pharmacy forum on the rebalancing Programme board which reviews relevant pharmacy legislation and regulation in relation to providing a defence to the criminal sanction for inadvertent dispensing errors among other components of the work.
this has been a lengthy and complex process, which is ongoing and ultimately requires to be addressed legislatively in each jurisdiction. Unfortunately, it has been subject to delays, some of which have been outside the control of the programme and have resulted from changes in the political landscape, both locally and at Westminster.
If YoU hadn't bEcomE a PharmacISt, What carEEr WoULd YoU havE choSEn and WhY? one of the things I really enjoyed about being a community pharmacist was the interaction with patients and customers so definitely something involving people in a pastoral or counselling role.
WhErE IS YoUr favoUrItE PLacE to vISIt In northErn IrELand and WhY? It’s hard to beat the north coast on a sunny winter’s day for a long walk with my two dogs …oh and my husband! •
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
