NEWS
PUBLIC HEALTH SCOTLAND URGES ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS TO GET SHINGLES VACCINE
Public Health Scotland (PHS) is urging those eligible to get vaccinated and protect themselves from shingles.
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation PHS visited the Eddlewood Vaccination Centre in NHS Lanarkshire to emphasise the importance of shingles vaccination for those eligible.
Shingles, caused by the same virus as chickenpox, can reactivate later in life, particularly in older adults. The shingles vaccine significantly reduces the risk of developing shingles by over 70%, making it crucial for older individuals as the virus is more likely to become active and cause pain in this age group.
Since January 2024, local health boards in Scotland have been inviting eligible individuals by letter to receive their free shingles vaccination. Those eligible include:
• People who were aged 65 or 70 on 1 September 2023 • Individuals aged 71-79 who were not previously vaccinated
• People aged 50 or over starting immunosuppressive therapy or with a severely weakened immune system
• Individuals aged 18 or over who have received a stem cell transplant • Individuals aged 18 or over who have received CAR-T therapy
Dr. Sam Ghebrehewet said, “Around 400 people aged 70 and over are hospitalised due to shingles-related complications every year in Scotland. The shingles vaccine is a safe and effective way of reducing the likelihood of getting shingles. It also reduces your risk of experiencing long-term pain and being hospitalised.”
Toby Tipper, Vaccination Manager at NHS Lanarkshire, added, “Shingles can reactivate later in life when the immune system is weakened. The shingles vaccine helps reduce the risk of developing shingles and, if contracted, mitigates the severity of symptoms. Getting vaccinated when invited is the best protection against shingles.”
The main symptom of shingles is pain followed by a rash. PHS Scotland is urging people to speak to their local pharmacist if they suspect that they have shingles.
SCOTLAND’S FIRST CONSULTANT PHARMACIST APPOINTED
In a landmark development for the pharmacy profession, Jennifer Laskey has been appointed as Scotland's first consultant pharmacist by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Her appointment follows a rigorous portfolio assessment, resulting in her post being successfully approved and listed on the RPS Consultant Pharmacist Post Directory.
Consultant pharmacists are recognised as clinical leaders within the profession, working beyond traditional boundaries to significantly influence pharmaceutical practice and patient care across the healthcare system. To hold the consultant pharmacist title, individuals must be credentialed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and work in an RPS-approved consultant post. This stringent process ensures standardisation across the UK, benefitting both patients and the healthcare system. Those credentialled as consultant-ready, must demonstrate cross-boundary working and leadership across the four pillars of practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.
In her new role, Jennifer will support the West of Scotland Cancer network. She will be working to ensure patients across community, primary and acute settings have access to the highest quality care. Her efforts will aim to drive improvement outcomes and survival rates for cancer patients.
Speaking about her appointment, Jennifer said, “To be appointed as the first consultant pharmacist in Scotland is a highly significant landmark for the pharmacy profession.
“Cancer remains an important health priority, affecting 1 in 2 people, and with improving survival rates, an increasing number of people are living with cancer.
“Within my role, I am working across community, primary and acute care sectors to ensure that people in Scotland can access excellent cancer care now and in the future.”
Joseph Oakley, Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Associate Director of Assessment and Credentialling praised Jennifer’s appointment, “I am delighted that Jennifer has been appointed to Scotland’s first consultant pharmacist post. This is a major recognition of Jennifer’s significant expertise and experience across the four pillars of practice at a system level as well as a recognition of the significant role consultant pharmacists can play in improving patient care.
"This is also a hugely welcome endorsement of our rigorous process, which the whole team at Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as well as our dedicated pool of assessors, works so hard to deliver on behalf of the profession and patients.
"I know Jennifer’s appointment will go a long way to improving health outcomes for cancer patients in the West of Scotland, and I hope this is the first of many similar appointments across Scotland.”
scottishpharmacist.com 3 Jennifer Laskey
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