The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 263 No 7074 p887
December 4, 1999 News

Guild honours senior members

The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists appointed two honorary vice-presidents and two honorary members at a council dinner on November 25. The new honorary vice presidents are Mr Colin Hetherington and Mr Colin Hitchings, who will serve with the existing honorary vice-presidents Miss Joan Greenleaf and Mr Bill Brookes. The honorary members are Mr Arthur Williams and Mr Bob Timson. In addition, Mr Bill Brookes was belatedly presented with his certificate of honorary vice-presidency. He was made an honorary vice-president in 1994 but had not been officially presented with his certificate then because of time pressures. Mr Hetherington introduced the drug information service and poisons information bureau at Leeds. He set up one of the first hospital formularies and, in 1970, developed a 24 hour pharmacy service. Subsequent innovations included a clinical pharmacy service, a central intravenous additive (CIVA) service and the first bulk purchasing store. In 1982, he moved to Bradford, where he introduced a computer system, a CIVA service, a residency service and a clinical pharmacy training programme. He also began the philosophy of patient-centred pharmaceutical care, together with protocols for discharge planning. Among many other achievements, he was the guild's president from 1975 to 1978, when he established the publication of the organisation's proceedings.

Left to right: Bob Timson with Peter Cooke; Bill Brookes, Colin Hitchings, Peter Cooke, Colin Hetherington and Ian Simpson (the guild's professional secretary)

While working at Welwyn Garden City hospital, Mr Hitchings developed a standard hospital prescription sheet design, which had reduced the incidence of drug administration errors. He introduced ward pharmacy and a quality control service to support the pharmacy's sterile manufacturing unit. He worked at Northwick Park hospital and the Royal Free hospital before becoming area pharmaceutical officer for Camden and Islington. In 1981, he was appointed regional pharmaceutical officer for the South West Thames health authority, where his responsibilities included quality control and drug information. His was the first region to install a region-wide computer system for stock control and purchasing. Mr Hitchings was president of the guild from 1978 to 1980, and went on to become secretary of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists. In 1977, he served on the Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, became President of the Society between 1983 and 1984, and spent three years as Treasurer. He is currently the professional secretary of the International Pharmaceutical Federation.
Mr Timson was made an honorary member after retiring from pharmacy and from the guild council in April after 23 years service. He holds the unique record of having been president of the guild for three consecutive terms (1991-94). He was chairman of the Pharmaceutical Whitley Council when the dispute over payment for emergency duty was resolved and when the regrading of hospital pharmacists took place in the late 1980s. In addition, Mr Timson served for three years on the Council of the Society and was the first pharmacist to serve on the Mental Health Commission.
Mr Arthur Williams was unable to attend the dinner to receive his award.