AWARDS
PHARMACIST OF THE YEAR
supported by CALUM MURRAY, ALNESS PHARMACY, ALNESS
If there’s one word that can be used to describe the winner of this year’s Pharmacist of the Year Award, it is ‘versatile’. From working as the manager of Alness Pharmacy, to his work with the Community Pharmacy Highland Contractors, Calum Murray’s pharmacy career clearly highlights the rich and varied contribution that pharmacy make to primary care.
‘I take on my extra commitments because I am passionate about the future of pharmacy in the area,’ says Calum, ‘and I have a strong belief that, by working with my peers, we will be able to improve services for both patients and pharmacists. That’s also one of the reasons why I am a community pharmacy practitioner champion. It is rewarding to feel like I provide support and encouragement for fellow pharmacists while gaining experience in the sector.’
Prior to taking up his current position, Calum worked across the Highlands for LloydsPharmacy and then moved to Skye to further his career and take on more responsibility.
When he gained his position in Alness, the pharmacy was struggling fi nancially and Calum was given the challenge of turning around the business, while simultaneously improving community engagement and trust. As the pharmacy has a lot of competition from a nearby pharmacy, it was incredibly important to increase community faith and reliability.
One great example of Calum’s care for the community is highlighted in his establishment of a clinical assessment suite in one of the pharmacy’s consultation rooms.
‘I wanted to remove pressure for the local GP surgery,’ he continues, ‘and also to improve healthcare in the area - particularly for children. Through this clinical assessment suite I carry out, on
Calum Murray, Alness Pharmacy and Michael Conway, Senior Manager Retail Sales, Teva UK
a daily basis, skin, ear, mouth and eye exams. I also carry out tests to assess risk of cardiovascular disease. Almost all of my patients get taken into this suite for a discussion rather than having the discussion in the open. In a small community with many sensitive issues it is important for patients’ trust that I do this. It has also alerted me to more symptoms that patients may not have been comfortable to reveal in the shop.
‘I am also aiming to do more ‘outreach’ work. For example, I regularly organise training evenings for local branches with topics including consultation skills, CPR, defi brillator training and chronic pain management. It is important to me that all staff are equipped with these skills - not just pharmacists. As GP surgeries and pharmacies are put under more and more pressure, I think it is essential that staff are confi dent in their own knowledge and prepared to provide support for the pharmacist. It also sends staff from the sector into their community with
a sound knowledge of how to react in an emergency with the possibility of saving lives. I am passionate about spreading medical education and good practices as far as possible to improve general health in the community.
‘I also recently set up the Easter Ross Pharmacy Forum to bring together pharmacies across the region, to share best practice and work towards a standardised approach for delivering pharmacy services. I feel this has been both innovative for the area and extremely worthwhile as it creates a cohesiveness and a strong feeling of collaboration for staff.
‘One of the things I am most proud of is that I have established a travel clinic in Alness so that patients get the correct information, vaccines and antimalarials in a timely manner without having to travel further afi eld. I have been in contact with local schools to provide information to young people before they head abroad. This collaboration means
that more young people are travelling safely.
‘I particularly pride myself on assisting pharmacies across the Highlands as a champion to increase CMS uptake, UCF roll-out and encourage participation in SPSP activities. I respond to any queries and make sure to collaborate with a wide array of health professionals that I work with so that I can put the people with the right knowledge together and solve problems. If I cannot provide the right support, I use my resources to fi nd someone who can and make sure to take note and learn from the problem.’
Thanks to his considerable effort and hard work, Calum has not only turned around a failing pharmacy, but has created one that is a pillar of the community and is the ‘go to’ place in Alness for patients’ needs. Well done Calum!
To view Scottish Pharmacist Awards Highlights visit
www.scottishpharmacist.co.uk/awards
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