In the last two months we have heard about three serious incidents referring to failure of due diligence processes prior to placing a pharmacist in vacancy and I would like to point out that none of the three relate to placements made by PL-UK!
In the first incident a locum’s place was allegedly taken by his brother. That is OK of course as long as the brother is a qualified pharmacist and is able to complete the booking. A pharmacist should also inform the pharmacist or locum coordinator that a replacement pharmacist will be undertaking the booking. However of this occasion the pharmacy were fairly sure that the actual booking was carried out by the booked locum’s brother who they believed was under investigation by the GPhC but their was no way to confirm either way.
In the second instance an employed pharmacist was marched off a pharmacy premises after they had worked for four months without successfully paying their GPhC fees.
The third case involved a non-pharmacist impersonating a pharmacist to secure locum bookings.
All of these instances could have been avoided if photo ID was issued by the GPhC allowing pharmacy operators to check either via an I.D. card or online photo record that the person turning up for the booking is who they say they are. I wonder how many such instances go un- reported?
A community pharmacy screening pilot for intravenous drug misusers identified 68 per cent of patients who had unknowingly been exposed to hepatitis C.
The scheme, set up by the British Liver Trust, illustrates how community pharmacies that already offer needle exchange and methadone services for drug misusers can help identify undiagnosed liver disease.
Link to full article on PJ Online
http://www.pjonline.com/news/liver_trust_trials_pharmacy_as_hepatitis_screening_venue
Next Development – a pharmacist conducting the test as part of the research team? Hope so.
Almost half of public sector workers (45%) face redundancy or are seeking alternative private sector employment, according to research from international recruiter Hays.
Is this the case in pharmacy?
Full article link http://www.recruiter.co.uk/1009774.article?cmpid=REC04&cmptype=newsletter&email=true
The RPS have announced the launch of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Awards.
Text from RPS Press Release
“Pharmacists from across all sectors of the profession are invited to enter the inaugural Royal Pharmaceutical Society Awards.
There are seven award categories, designed to recognise pharmacists from all sectors of the profession and throughout all stages of their pharmacy careers.
The awards are an opportunity to highlight the achievements and recognise the successes of individuals or groups over the last year.
Those short-listed will be invited to attend an awards dinner to be held on 11 September at the Commonwealth Club in London as part of the RPS annual conference.
The seven RPS categories are: clinical pharmacist of the year; public health pharmacist of the year; leadership in pharmacy award; lifetime achievement award; academy of pharmaceutical science award; British Pharmaceutical Student Association student of the year; and preregistration pharmacist of the year.
An entry form can be downloaded from www.rpharms.com/rpsawards . The deadline for entries is 5pm 29th July 2011. Successful applicants will be informed on 17 August 2011 if they have been shortlisted to attend the evening awards dinner”
Interesting article on BBC website about benefit of supplement in pre-eclampsia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13454469
Agency Workers Regulations – how does it effect me?
The simple answer is it doesn’t. …. in most cases. For more expert guidance than I can supply as a pharmacist rather than a legal bod please click on the link below. http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/documents/01109%20PCG%20A4%2020PP%20BROCHURE%20SINGLE%20PAGES.pdf
One in a lifetime opportunity – pharmacist required in Tonga
We have been approached by a not for profit pharmacy in the Kingdom of Tonga asking us to recruit a pharmacist to work at one of the health centres in the Kingdom. This opportunity will definately not come up again for if you fancy a complete change of scene and an opportunity to live on [...]
Just a quick post to remind all pharmacist that they need to renew their GPhC registration by the 31st October. So you still have a month to pay but if you are anything like me, if you don’t do it now, there’s a chance you’ll forget!
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