The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 265 No 7104 p40
July 8, 2000 News

President praises skill mix in Edinburgh hospital

The skill mix of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in an Edinburgh hospital's pharmacy department has been praised by the President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (Mrs Christine Glover). During a visit to the department of pharmacy at Western general hospital, Mrs Glover said that it was good to see skill mix working properly. After observing the work of pharmacy technicians - and in particular the designated checking technicians - in the aseptic facilities and dispensing area, she said that nobody could fail to be impressed by the expertise of the technicians and their confident and responsible approach.

Mrs Glover, centre, discusses the role of designated checking technicians with Ms Liz Stanley (principal pharmacist), right, and Ms Christine Carnie (senior pharmacy technician)

Visiting a satellite pharmacy which prepares 2,500 doses a month within a chemotherapy unit, the President saw integrated team working between nurses, doctors, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. One of the nursing staff told her that the pharmacy provided "excellent" service and commented: "People don't realise the health service is more than about doctors and nurses. We need more pharmacists."
Mrs Glover also visited a rheumatology clinic where Mr George Lindsay (principal pharmacist) and a clinical nurse specialist run a clinic for patients who self-administer subcutaneous methotrexate.
The President said that she would like to see all members of the Society's Council visit a good pharmacy department. She had suggested that this be included as part of Council members' development.