Archive for October, 2009

Information and advisory service

The new PLB will provide an enhanced information and advisory service to members via a single point of contact and via a 24/7 most commonly asked question and answers section on the re-launched RPSGB website. It was asked on the day whether the information service would be staffed in the evening and this is being looked at. As now, the service would aim to give you all the information you will require to make an informed decision. I know sometimes we would like to be told what to do but i guess, as a professional, we need to make decisions ourselves.

Myth busting session

I’ve attached a link to the myth busting document that was handed out at the meeting below.

http://www.pluk.co.uk/docs/New%20PLB%20mythbusting%20document.pdf

The key questions that were discussed were around the issue of the multiples dominating the new PLB. Steve Churton countered this argument by saying there will be no corporate membership category so that the multiples couldn’t dominate the new body. My main concern about the new PLB is that Boots and the Co-op have said that they will pay for all their pharmacists to join the new body (Or re-imburse them if they join) There are varying estimates about what percentage of pharmacists will join the new PLB with estimates from 15-90%. If only 15% join and 3000 are from Boots/Co-op i=they are bound to dominate. My view is that 75-80% will join in year one to see if the PLB can put their money where their mouth is and deliver on it’s promises. If they don’t, year 2 will see a sharp decline in membership.

Virtual Networks

The Society is currently trialing virtual networks with the secure environment and industrial pharmacists group. The virtual network are essence like a social networking site where pharmacists can post questions, inform other pharmacists of upcoming events and generally interact with fellow pharmacists online. This seems like a great idea and pharmacists can apply to the society for other networks to be set up after the trials have been completed and any problems ironed-out. The thinking is that specialist sectors e.g. oncology pharmacist, substance misuse pharmacists etc could have their own network but also that local practice forums could have their own virtual network to either support or replace physical networks e.g. branches.

Enhanced and specialist service (Content from pjonline)

Pharmacy, especially in the community has always treated all pharmacists the same in terms of ability. However we all know that every single pharmacist is different and has their own strengths, weaknesses and areas of special interest. I’m really excited, therefore at the proposed developments in this area. However it’s a bit complex so i have posed an article from pjoline below to explain.

Phase 1
A proposed governance structure (PDF 140K) has been developed by the project team in consultation with a wide stakeholder reference group of more than 150 pharmacists representing most specialisms. The structure will ensure quality and robust assessment across the sectors and specialisms. This will soon be finalised, pending agreement from the transition working group.

The proposal is for a specialist curriculum committee (SCC) to accredit the curricula and ensure they are robust. A professional assessment board (PAB) will award the professional designations and ensure the quality of candidates coming through the various levels of advancement.

The specialist groups (SGs) will define the knowledge and skills relevant for their specialty (curriculum).

We are also looking at the possibility of using the validated frameworks to support general, advanced and consultant level practice — the general level framework (GLF) and the advanced and consultant level framework (ACLF) frameworks — by working in collaboration with the Competency Developments and Evaluation Group (CoDEG) and adapting these when necessary. The proposal to use the existing frameworks rather than reinvent them has been strongly supported by the profession.

Phase 2
In consultation with the membership phase 2 will seek to define the professional designations, framework approach and standard processes, and establish the governance groups. The aim is for there to be up to four levels of advancement that can be achieved throughout a career.

Level 1 could be gained soon after registration, in the early years of practice, regardless of sector. This could potentially link to the GLF, representing general practice in whichever pharmacy sector people are in.

For example, after a few years, a pharmacist could potentially achieve the professional designation “practitioner” in pharmacy in community, hospital or industry. This would be dependent on demonstrating the appropriate level of knowledge and skills.

At the highest level (4), the professional designation could be “consultant” level or above and relate to the relevant ACLF competencies and the relevant curriculum in a specialism or consultant level general practice — again across all sectors.

An individual would have to demonstrate:

leadership and expertise in their area of practice
the ability to manage at a high level
skill in educating and training
skill in undertaking and disseminating research in practice
The area of expert practice could be in a specialty such as respiratory medicine or general practice, but at consultant level.

Developing appropriate terminology is important so that expert practice covers all areas of clinical pharmacy in hospital and community sectors, management at a high level, industry and academia. To get this right, subsequent meetings with all stakeholders will continue, followed by extensive market research and consultation with the profession.
Next steps
This project is in the early stages and much work is still needed to further engage the profession, and employers, to ensure national and cross-sector endorsement.

The ASP project started with a clean sheet, enabling the profession to decide what it wants, and this will continue. Members of the project team have been chosen to represent the wider pharmacy profession, and the virtual stakeholder reference group extends this network further.

The proposed role, remit and operating model for the specialist curriculum committee, the professional assessment board and the specialist groups can be seen in the Figure. These may evolve into professional curriculum committee and professional groups and professional assessment board, pending discussions and consultation. We have worked with a wide cross-section of the profession around this governance structure.

Summary

I think, in summary that the profession should give the new PLB a chance. I believe that the people at the top have the profession’s best interests at heart and are committed to an ambitious schedule of change and development for the new PLB. My main concern is around the multiples having too much influence however this can be prevented by some of us standing up and being counted and standing for election for the new national pharmacy boards in England, Scotland and Wales.

What we mustn’t do is be apathetic. The elections in November are the most important in the profession’s history. If we don’t get involved, the new PLB could fail and if we don’t have a viable professional body the profession will fall into disrepute and the vultures will take over.

I am conscious that locum pharmacists tend to miss events such as the Stakeholder Day that was held at RPSGD headquarters in London yesterday. As a result, I attended the meeting on your behalf and will attempt to pass on the key information i gathered in this three posts. This one will cover CPD and Local Practice Forums:

Presidents Welcome

Steve Churton gave an impassioned speech about the new PLB and about how the move to a devolved membership body and regulator marked the most important change to the profession of pharmacy in over 150 years. He explained that over the day he would try to give delegates a feel of the culture of the new PLB and the services that will be able to members..

He also mentioned that the name of the new body will be ……The Royal Pharmaceutical Society!!! Apparantly the members of the new body can decide to change post launch if they want to but a change of name would have meant more changes to the Royal Charter which could have delayed the launch which is due in April 2010.  A General Election called before May could delay it as the new body needs to be sanctioned in parliament.

CPD

One of the main advantages of the new body will be the support it will provide for CPD. The new PLB will not “police” CPD this will be done by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). I was actually sat next to the lady who has set the criteria for CPD at the GPhC and she said that the CPD needs to be relevant to your practice and will only count at CPD if you have identified a particular need to improve either practice or knowledge. Simply attending lots of CPPE courses doesn’t constitute CPD.

As has been previous publised, pharmacists will need to submit nine pieces of CPD each year (Or when requested by the GPhC.) The nine pieces should be spread throughout the year and go though the process:

Reflection/Planning/Action/Evaluation

Pharmacist will have six weeks to submit CPD when requested.

The new PLB will support pharmacists with their CPD by offering the www.uptodate.org.uk website for recording CPD, They will also offer to review five CPD entries free of charge to members before they are submitted to the GPhC AS it has been identified that many members are worried at CPD requirements and how CPD should be recorded.

Local Practice Forums

You may have seen in the PJ lately articles about the New Local Practice Forums (LPF) these will replace branches and regions over the next two years. One in West Yorkshire has been particularly successful. These are very much seen as key to the success of the new RPSGB and the driving force behind delivery of the services for the new body.

There will be about forty LPF’s in England, five in Wales and I think seven in Scotland. The geographical spread of each will be controlled by each LPF’s but it is envisioned that they will be based around Schools of pharmacy or larger teaching hospitals.

Information of advisory services, virtual networks and myth busting to follow on Friday.

I’m sat on a very nice train on the way to a stakeholders meeting at the RPSGB. After 15 years on the register I finally visit 1 Lambeth High Street! My intention is to disseminate the contents of the meeting to locum pharmacists as it covers issues like CPD, continuing membership and membership services of the new PLB. Could be interesting, could send me to sleep, I’ll let you now which later.

Shaun

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PL-UK Recruitment Ltd Newsletter

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in this issue
Permanent job in Paddington
Hospital locum in Shropshire
Locum Pharmacist needed in Sheffield – Top Rates!
Permanent pharmacy manager for small chain in North East
Dear shaun,

At PL-UK we are trying to fill four really interesting positions this week:

Permanent pharmacist position in Paddington, West London
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We are looking to recruit a pharmacist to join the team at a well established pharmacy in Paddington, West London. Applicants should have at least two years, post registration experience ideally with Boots, Lloyds or one of the supermarket chains.

Ideally the successful candidate will start on the 1st November, so a quick response is required. Job description available from PL-UK. CV required – please send to dee@pluk.co.uk
Hospital Locum Pharmacist in Shropshire
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A locum pharmacist with hospital experience required for three months in a specialist hospital in Shropshire. The pharmacy team consists of five pharmacists and five technicians and the position will attract a 7/8a banding. Dispensary and ward responsibilities.
Call Shaun on 01677 424204 for more details. Send CV to shaun@pluk.co.uk
Locum Pharmacist required for three months in Sheffield
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Locum pharmacist required for three months in a unit supporting supply of medicines to HM Prison Service. The ideal candidate will have private sector experience. Rates on offer £28-30 per hour.

Call Lynne for more information on 01677 424292. CV required – please send to lynne@pluk.co.uk
Permanent pharmacist for small multiple
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Pharmacist required to join small, friendly chain in North East England. The chain contains twenty pharmacies and provides excellent support for all it’s staff. Support staff are excellent.

This is an ideal opportunity for a pharmacist working for one of the large multiples to work for a company where you will be a key player and able to deliver a high quality, pharmacy service.

Call Shaun for more details on 01677 424204 and send your CV to shaun@pluk.co.uk

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