The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7197 667-668
11 May 2002

Welsh Executive election: Candidates' biographies and statements

We have been supplied with the following biographies and statements from candidates for election to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Welsh Executive. The statements indicate how candidates consider they can assist the Welsh Executive to carry out its responsibilities. There are seven candidates for the four vacancies. Voting papers will be posted by second class post on 14 May to be received by pharmacists in Wales around 17/18 May and must be returned using the second class post reply envelope provided to be received by noon on 6 June. Any pharmacist whose address in the register is in Wales and who does not receive a voting paper by 24 May should contact the Society's headquarters in Wales (tel 029 2041 2800; fax 029 2041 2810).

Huw Christopher Evans, BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS, of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, registered in 1986. Current positions: Manager, Boots The Chemists, Aberystwyth, with responsibilities for Boots the Chemists in Aberaeron and Lampeter. Member, Dyfed-Powys Local Pharmaceutical Committee since 1999. Member, Ceredigion Pharmacy Development Group. National Vocational Qualification assessor. Business partner in Ceredigion for the National Assembly's Business in the Community programme. Secretary of Society's Ceredigion branch. Previous positions: Relief manager, Boots The Chemists, Cardiff and area, 1986–90; manager, Boots The Chemists, Lampeter, Ammanford, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock 1990–99; pharmacy manager, Boots The Chemist, Carmarthen 1993. Treasurer, Society's Ceredigion branch 1994–95; public relation officer, Ceredigion branch, 2001–02. Member, Milford Haven Round Table, 1998–2000, Aberystwyth Round Table since 2000, secretary 2001–02.

Statement: My experiences as a community pharmacist are of building a team to deliver an excellent professional service to the local community. As a manager for BTC, I have a role to develop the team to become an efficient business unit. I work closely within Aberystwyth with the local health group, medical primary care staff and with secondary care to provide a seamless service to patients. The Welsh Executive needs all of these qualities for its own development, and to help it to forge links with other professions within Wales.

Philip Callaghan Galt, MRPharmS, of Wrexham, Clwyd, registered in the United Kingdom in 1999, in South Africa in 1994. Current positions: District manager, Lloyds Pharmacy. Public relations officer, Society's Clwyd branch. Member, North Wales Local Pharmaceutical Committee. Previous positions: Treasurer, Society's Clwyd branch, 2000. Independent proprietor community pharmacist (South Africa), 1994–98.

Statement: As a practising community pharmacist at "the coal face", I understand the challenges we face daily. I appreciate the practicalities of implementing Society policy at local level. Such "grass roots" experience and a novel North Wales perspective would be invaluable in assisting the executive. Effective communication of information is vital. Combining current pharmacy practice experience with expertise in information technology and involvement in local pharmacy public relations, I would be able to contribute significantly to this process, bringing an added dimension to the executive. Proactive, enthusiastic and motivated, I believe I would be a valuable member of the executive.

Paul Gimson, BPharm, DipCommPharm, MRPharmS, ACPP, of Cardiff, registered in 1994. Current positions: Community pharmacy clinical governance facilitator, Caerphilly Local Health Group; prescribing support pharmacist, Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Group; teacher practitioner, Welsh School of Pharmacy. Previous positions: Preregistration training, relief management, manager of Ebbw Vale health centre pharmacy and manager of Cardiff branch for National Co-operative Chemist (1994–2000).

Statement: We constantly hear how much pharmacy is changing, but how much has it actually changed, and how much has been for the better? My current positions give me knowledge and experience of the primary care machine while my background in community pharmacy ensures I always remain in the real world. I believe the executive would benefit from this varied experience and from my positive attitude and enthusiasm. The fact is, pharmacy is changing, and I would welcome the opportunity to help the executive make sure this change is for the benefit of pharmacy and pharmacists.

Rowena Jane McArtney, BSc (Hons), MRPharmS, Dip Ther, of Cardiff, registered in 1982. Current positions: Senior information pharmacist, Welsh Medicines Information Centre. Professional secretary, Bro Taf Drug and Therapeutics Committee. Member of editorial board of Medicines for Children (publisher: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health). Member of Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group, and NPPG representative on RCPCH and NPPG standing committee on medicines. Paediatric directorate pharmacist, University Hospital of Wales. Accredited tutor, University of Wales clinical pharmacy diploma; accredited tutor, University of London, diploma/MSc. Member of Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists. Previous positions: Chairman, South Wales group, Guild of Hospital Pharmacists 1993–94; group secretary, South Wales group, Guild of Hospital Pharmacists 1987–93; staff pharmacist, Cardiff Royal Infirmary; resident pharmacist, Leicester General Hospital. Professional awards: 1989 GHP/Ciba Geigy award; 1991 UKCPA/3M team award; 1995 Ciba Geigy award for best poster at GHP national weekend school; 1998 National Development Scheme for Senior Pharmacy Managers.

Statement: As an experienced hospital pharmacist based in the WMIC, I have an opportunity to provide medicines information support to colleagues in community and to the NHS Direct centres in Wales. In this and my other roles I communicate effectively with other professionals to ensure that patients receive safe and effective therapy. I have a good grasp of the issues affecting pharmacy and believe that I can offer my skills, qualities and enthusiasm to take on the opportunities and challenges facing the Welsh Executive. These include "A spoonful of sugar", the Welsh pharmacy plan, continuing professional development and the modernisation of the Society.

Edwyn Phillip Parry, BPharm (Hons), DipAgVetPharm, of Boncath, Pembrokeshire, registered in 1980. Current positions: Proprietor, The Pharmacy, Crymych, Pembrokeshire. Chairman, Dyfed-Powys Local Pharmaceutical Committee. Society's Welsh Executive; Society's medicines management education and training group. Chairman, Community Pharmacy Wales; Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee; PSNC rural practices standing committee; chairman of PSNC strategic planning and policy subcommittee; PSNC resource development and finance subcommittee. NHS Wales electronic generation and transmission of prescriptions scoping project board; NHS Wales pharmacy strategy development group. Previous positions: Employed V. F. Parry, Crymych. Llanfyrnach and Crymych community councils 1983–94. Chairman, Society's Penfro branch 1982–83, secretary 1983–84. Dyfed LPC 1983–86, secretary 1985–91. Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee 1986–95, vice-chairman 1993–95. Community advisory group, Welsh Centre for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education, 1992–95. Unichem regional committees 1992–98; project board, "Developing self-audit in community pharmacy", 1996–98. Dyfed-Powys Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee 1996–98; Dyfed Family Practitioner Committee 1986–90; Dyfed-Powys Family Health Services Authority 1990–96. NHS Wales Corporate Strategy. Primary Care Reference Group 2000–01. Health Solutions Wales strategic review project board 2000–01.

Statement: We see greater integration of pharmacy into health and social care in Wales, and better services for patients as a result. Pharmacy is well positioned to make a major impact on the battlefields of health and social care. Upskilling ourselves and our staff, we attain the flexibility needed to provide new prescribing and medicines management services — improving cost effectiveness, supporting independence and managing demand. I want to ensure that all the pharmacy bodies in Wales work appropriately together. Work for an environment in which the whole pharmacy family can strive in an integrated way — and harvest the rewards.

Colin Ranshaw, BSc, MIPharmM, FRPharmS, of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, registered in 1976. Current positions: Principal pharmacist, Cardiff and the Vale NHS Trust. Member and communications officer, Society's Welsh Executive; secretary and public relations officer, Cardiff and the Vale branch. Committee member, South Wales, Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists. Member, Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee. Member and secretary, quality assurance subcommittee of Chief Pharmacists' Committee. Previous positions: Staff pharmacist, Dyfed health authority; staff pharmacist/pharmacist/preregistration trainee, East/Mid Surrey HA; community locum pharmacist throughout the years. President, Sunderland Pharmacy Students Association; president and treasurer, British Pharmaceutical Students Association. Chairman, Society's Crawley, Horsham and Reigate branch; chairman, Bro Myrddin branch, chairman and treasurer, South Glamorgan branch; chairman, Society's Welsh Executive. Member, organising committees for BPSA conference, International Pharmaceutical Students Federation congress, British Pharmaceutical Conference 1990, Guild weekend school, Cardiff. Member, South West Thames regional pharmaceutical education and training committee. Member, Surrey Area Hospital Pharmaceutical Committee. Member and secretary, Dyfed Pharmaceutical Committee. Professional secretary, Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee. Professional awards: Guild of Hospital Pharmacists/MSD award winner; Fellow of Society.

Statement: For the executive to exercise its role effectively it has to liaise and co-operate with all pharmacists in Wales, the local branches and the Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee, Community Pharmacy Wales and the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists. At the higher policy making level it is important to understand and have a good working relationship with the Society (Lambeth), and with the elected politicians and officials at the National Assembly for Wales. I have served my apprenticeship with all these organisations, enabling a tremendous appreciation and understanding for me to effectively communicate and contribute from my working experience in all branches of pharmacy.

Andrea Robinson, BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS, of Monmouth, registered in 1975. Current positions: Chairman, Society's Welsh Executive. Member, Advisory Panel on Substance Misuse, National Assembly for Wales. Secretary, Gwent Local Pharmaceutical Committee. Community pharmacy locum. Previous positions: Prescribing support pharmacist, Gwent Health Authority. Secretary, Gloucestershire LPC. Secretary and public relations officer, Society's Gwent branch. Community pharmacy manager in various positions in South Wales and England.

Statement: During the first three years of the National Assembly for Wales, the Society's Welsh Executive has become recognised as the point of contact for pharmacy professional issues. As a member of the Welsh Executive, both as chairman and vice-chairman, I have been actively involved in promoting the contribution pharmacists can make to improving health in Wales. With the pharmacy strategy due shortly, the executive has a challenging year ahead. I believe that my experience so far will contribute to the work of the Executive and provide continuity for developing relationships still further with Assembly Members and officials.