The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7193 p486
13 April 2002

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Be a tutor and put something back into pharmacy [more]
Council candidates — take your pick [more]

Be a tutor and put something back into pharmacy

Most pharmacists will remember their preregistration training days with some affection and, most likely, their preregistration tutors, too. As trainees struggle to make the transition from being part of a collective student class to being an independent professional person, with all the responsibilities that that entails, preregistration tutors play a vital role. For many pharmacists, the example set by their tutor will guide the way in which they believe a pharmacist should act.

With the number of pharmacy students increasing, more preregistration tutors are needed. One of the myths about tutors is that to be one it is necessary to have been on the register for many years and to have developed the wisdom of Solomon. In fact, as an article published this week states, only three years' experience in a relevant sector of practice is needed.

Becoming a preregistration tutor offers opportunities for continuing professional development and the satisfaction of seeing trainees develop and succeed. Many tutors take on trainees year after year because of this.

Pharmacists who become tutors are putting something special back into the profession. Join them — your profession needs you.

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Council candidates — take your pick

This week sees the publication of the names of candidates for election to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council. With 16 candidates offering their experience in community, hospital, academic, industrial and primary care pharmacy, there appears to be someone who will be close to almost every pharmacist's heart.

And with two long-standing members of Council, David Allen and Alan Nathan, standing down this year (see p509) at least two new faces will be seen in the Council chamber in June.

As the future structure and function of the Society is currently under debate, there could not be a more important time for pharmacists to exercise their power and vote for the candidates of their choice. New members of Council will be tackling the greatest challenge the Society has faced for decades: what the Society will look like and do.

Now is the time for members to ensure that the modernisation plans match their hopes and expectations. Have your say in the matter — use your vote wisely.

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