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A hospital pharmacist's view

Jen de Val 

Jen de Val is a clinical pharmacist at University College London Hospital. She is also a member of the Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group (PRLOG) set up to advise and work with stakeholders in the run-up to the establishment of the GPhC.

Transparent, consistent regulation

Jen hopes that the GPhC will bring more clarity and greater transparency. 'More transparency will benefit patients because they'll know, for example, more about pharmacists' training. It's about building greater trust and understanding.' She would like to see clearer communications directed at patients and the public, building a better understanding of the different roles that pharmacists can play during a patient's treatment.

She is pleased that the new organisation will bring regulation into line with that of other hospital professionals, such as doctors and nurses. 'I hope this will help the public to feel even more confident about pharmacists, and help pharmacists to feel more secure in their role.'

Useful, relevant CPD

For Jen, continuing professional development has always been an integral part of her working life. She is currently completing her three-year junior training programme and working for a diploma in general pharmacy practice.

'Keeping up with CPD seems entirely right and reasonable to me. At the start, it can be a bit daunting because there's so much to learn, but as your training progresses it gets easier: you know where the gaps are and what to focus on. It's important, though, that the GPhC recognises the specific CPD needs of individual pharmacists, so their portfolios are updated in a useful and relevant way.'

Developing careers

Jen relishes the challenge of working in a hospital environment. 'I like working on complex cases, and having the opportunity to learn about new research and clinical trials. It's exciting to think that, as a pharmacist, you're supporting clinical decisions at the point of prescribing.'

Riehanh Khan 

Increased benefits to the public

Riehanh Khan believes that the GPhC will be even more of a safeguard to the public — while offering greater opportunities to the profession.

Background and training

Riehanh Khan trained at the School of Pharmacy, University of London, and at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London. She is now working at Southampton General Hospital, where she is doing a postgraduate diploma in pharmacy practice. She has worked as a basic grade pharmacist and has completed core rotations. She is currently working as a clinical rotational pharmacist, gaining experience in cardiology.

Supporting developments in pharmacy

Hospital pharmacists are taking on increasingly varied and key roles. At Southampton General Hospital, Riehanh and the pharmacists are part of the core multidisciplinary team. The pharmacists are involved in the daily ward rounds and are able to offer advice to all members of the team and make appropriate interventions. Riehanh is encouraged that the GPhC is aiming to be a flexible and agile organisation, reflecting the many and continuing changes in pharmacy practice and supporting developments.

Offering a 'cohesive voice' 

Riehanh hopes that the GPhC will be able to include newly qualified pharmacists on the Council. 'They may not have in-depth knowledge of policy but they can bring a great deal to the table. They will have had recent experience of training and can offer a fresh perspective.'

More opportunities for career development

Mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) is a vital aspect of the changes that the GPhC will bring about – and Riehanh welcomes this. 'It's always a question of finding time for CPD, but in pharmacy we can never be complacent. The first step is identifying what it is you don't know — and then doing something about it.'

Riehanh hopes that the GPhC's role in standards and the quality of care will mean that in the longer term pharmacists will be able to enjoy an even broader career and a higher professional status. She hopes that hospital pharmacists will be able to be more like consultants.

Guiding pharmacists

The GPhC should offer guidance for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and in doing so act as a further safeguard to patient safety.

Riehanh also believes that transparency is extremely important: 'The public needs to be aware of the role of a pharmacist and the many services the profession can offer.'