From Ms D. Ledger
SIR,—I read with interest the response to the article by John Ferguson "Registration of technicians - the Society should opt out" (PJ, September 11, p391).
It is refreshing to note that some pharmacists are prepared to move into the millennium and support the role and registration of pharmacy technicians.
Technicians are no longer the "handmaidens" of pharmacists and are highly trained, qualified and motivated individuals. The role of the hospital technician has not only expanded, but also extended to meet the demands of "new age" pharmacy.
In the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS trust, and many others, the change in role began, not to fulfil the shortfall of year 2000 graduates, but to meet the recommendations of the Government circular "The way forward" (HC[54]88). This allowed pharmacists to utilise their knowledge and experience clinically on wards at the point of prescribing by influencing effective prescribing and cost-effective formulary guidelines and building a rapport within multidisciplinary teams.
The effects cascaded down to dispensaries and improved workflow and performance standards. Sessions in dispensaries ensured they remained in touch with dispensary issues. Technicians and assistants ensured the smooth operation of the dispensaries. My own role changed to dispensary manager.
This change in roles required re-education at all levels. Skill mix issues were addressed as responsibilities moved down. Pharmacy standards and standard operating procedures provided guidelines and ensured standards of professional practice were adhered to. Audits undertaken before and after the change proved that these standards remained constant.
An authorised, accredited, technician checking scheme was introduced to allow the transition and our pharmacy was awarded a national training award for excellence in this area.
Role change did not stop within the dispensaries. Pharmacy technicians moved into positions such as procurement manager, education and training manager, and information technology support.
Our "vision" is to implement ward-based technicians working alongside pharmacists in clinical areas and pharmacist-led outpatient clinics. Therefore, have we not already achieved an extension of our activities and extended our influences?
John Ferguson must feel very insecure with these developments, and I am amazed that he feels forced to make reference to reports from 1965 when I was still in kindergarten! Pharmacy has to move forward.
Why should technicians not be registered in accordance with the criteria for accepting a code of conduct regulating relationships with patients and members of other professions? All members of the dispensary team have prime relationships with patients and medical and nursing staff when receiving, dispensing and issuing prescriptions, providing advice and instructions on the administration of medicine, the use of inhalers and supplementary equipment and management of ward pharmacy stock budgets. This list is not exhaustive.
Even student pharmacy technicians undertake these roles under direct supervision to provide evidence for the present NVQ3 training standards which are very similar to the requirements of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for preregistration trainees.
We do have concerns and frustrations over salaries, career pathways and recognition for these extending roles. Registration will assist in this recognition, allowing able technicians fully to develop their roles. I am sure qualified colleagues in the community sector will share this optimism.
So, my message to members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is do not feel threatened by our developing roles. We do not aspire to become pharmacists. We are endeavouring to provide a synergistic role and, as a team, continue to evolve pharmacy from the Jurassic era into the 21st century - with or without its dinosaurs!
Dawn Ledger
MTO Dispensary Manager, Royal Hospitals, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust, Sunderland