Join our Council and help uphold standards and public trust in pharmacy

27 September 2018

We are looking for five new members of our governing council – three of whom will be on our register – to help us achieve our aims of making a positive contribution to patient safety and encouraging improvements in pharmacy services.

The new members will join our Council on 1 April 2019. We have an ambitious programme of work ahead at this time of change for pharmacy, and our Council has an important strategic governance and assurance role to play.
We are particularly looking for pharmacy professionals who have experience of:

  • working with technology developments in healthcare
  • management or leadership in the NHS
  • being a patient or carer, or of representing the views of patients or carers
  • pharmacy education development or delivery
  • working in community pharmacy
  • working as a pharmacy technician

What’s involved? Hear from some of our Council members about the role:

Mohammed Hussain, pharmacist and GPhC council member 2013 - present

“Too often we look at a role and think that it is not for us, not yet, or that we would like to do it, but we could never be successful. We do not see ourselves in those roles. The irony is that the GPhC, like all organisations, needs diversity of thought and experience at all levels and especially at the top. Only you can bring your unique insights.

You will never know what you are capable of if you do not challenge yourself to seek out the opportunities. The Council aspires to reflect the diversity of the public it seeks to protect and the registrants it governs, but it can only select from those that apply.

As a member of the GPhC Council, you will be responsible for holding the executive to account and setting the strategic direction for regulation in pharmacy. In many ways the role is similar to that of a school governor, acting as a critical friend: supporting as appropriate, challenging where necessary. I have found the role personally challenging, stretching, rewarding and above all an incredible privilege to serve. The skills I have developed are helping me in my other roles. As a Council member I know I have made a difference and you will too.

I would in particular encourage those for whom this may be your first significant leadership role to consider applying. This role is open to all, so the only question you have to ask is: ‘If not me, then who?’”

Samantha Quaye, pharmacy technician and GPhC council member 2013 – present

“If you are anything like me, when considering whether to apply you may query whether you have the knowledge, skills and experience to take on the responsibility of being a Council member. It is true that you need to have a particular skill set to be able to perform the role of Council member well, but what an effective board needs is to have a mix of people from different backgrounds. This provides a spectrum of opinions that leads to discussion, challenges and exploration of accepted norms. All of this contributes to the production of well-considered policy and strategy.

To be a Council member, you need to live the values of the GPhC; to always keep in mind that the health, safety and well-being of people who use pharmacy services is at the heart of everything we do. You will have to listen, learn, be prepared for lots of reading and have the courage to ask difficult questions.”

Applications close at noon on Monday 15 October 2018. Find out more and apply via the Saxton Bampfylde website
 

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