My
postgraduate training year at Hope Hospital in Salford (just down the
road from Manchester United & Coronation Street) has influenced my
whole career - as a junior pharmacist I was encouraged to approach practice
in a very clinical, patient-orientated way (a US model) and was an integral
member of the clinical team.
We
moved to Plymouth in 1992, where my work involved lots of time on the
wards developing the role of pharmacists with the clinical specialities
- everything from general medicine & surgery to specialist units
including renal, oncology and neonatal. After having my second child
in 1999, I changed pace slightly and began part-time work with the Prescribing
Team of South Hams & West Devon PCT. I have worked with most of
the practices in our PCT and have really enjoyed encouraging and negotiating
with GP colleagues to review prescribing practice for patients.
I
am really enjoying my job at Stannary Surgery - the practice is innovative
and ahead of the field in developing the role of ‘Clinical Practice
Pharmacist’. There are huge opportunities now for pharmacists
to develop their contribution to patient care and I will be developing
my skills in hypertension, osteoporosis, pain management and migraine
- just for starters. I will be running a medication review clinic
and
this will involve referrals from the GPs and nurses and will help me
to get to know lots of you and learn how we can develop medicines
management
for you.
I
have successfully completed my training to become a Supplementary
/ Independent Prescriber - this is a very exciting step and another
new challenge.
In the meantime, my spare time will be filled with making soap, reading,
cooking and enjoying
my
family.
