The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7248 p664-665
10 May 2003

Society summary

Welsh executive: Biographies and statements of Welsh Executive election candidates

Seven candidates are contesting this year's election of four members of the Welsh Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

We have been supplied with the following biographies and statements 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 on Thursday 15 May and must be returned using the reply envelope provided to be received by noon on Thursday 5 June 2003.

Any pharmacist whose address in the register is in Wales and who has not received a voting paper by Friday 23 May should contact the Society's headquarters in Wales (tel 029 2041 2800; fax 029 2041 2810).

Philip Bullen, BSc(Hons), MRPharmS, LLM, DipCH of Old St Mellons, Cardiff, registered in 1989. Current positions: proprietor/director of St Mellons Post Office and Pharmacy, Cardiff, and Health Plus Pharmacy, Pontnewynydd; clinical governance lead for North Cardiff; national vocational assessor; director of Farallon, UK; director/head instructor Neoprene Dreams Scuba School. Previous positions: professional locum for five years; peripatetic pharmacist for Royal Gwent and Ebbw Vale General Hospital; community pharmacy manager for NCC; St Mellons Community Councillor.

Statement: Being a community pharmacy proprietor, one must be able to communicate successfully on many levels. I believe my negotiation skills will be invaluable to the Executive in implementing the practical applications of Society policy and in developing important relationships further between the Executive and the National Assembly. I fully understand the professional and business intricacies of implementing the Society policy at a community level. My scuba instructional skills enable me to overcome many challenging situations and positively develop individuals. With an exciting new pharmacy contract on the horizon I am ideally equipped to aid the Executive in developing its role further to the benefit of pharmacists in Wales.

Paul Gimson, BPharm(Hons), DipCommPharm, MRPharmS, ACPP, of Cardiff, registered in 1994. Current positions: pharmacy adviser, Caerphilly Local Health Board; teacher-practitioner, Welsh School of Pharmacy; vice-chairman, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan branch. Previous positions: community pharmacy clinical governance facilitator, Caerphilly Local Health Group (2001–02); prescribing support pharmacist, Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Group (1999–2001); preregistration training; relief management; manager of Ebbw Vale health centre pharmacy and manager of Cardiff branch for National Co-operative Chemist (1994–2000).

Statement: Pharmacy is supposedly changing, but how much, and how much for the better? There are potentially lots of exciting changes ahead, particularly with the development of initiatives such as medicines management and pharmacist prescribing. Wales has an ideal opportunity to surge ahead with innovative services from community pharmacy and the Welsh Executive is ideally placed to lead this change. My current positions give me knowledge of the health service machine while my background in community pharmacy ensures I always remain in the real world. The Executive would benefit from this varied experience and from my positive attitude and enthusiasm.

Diane Elizabeth Heath, BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS, MSc (management studies — health care), Cert Psych Pharm, of Clevedon, North Somerset, registered in 1977. Current positions: all Wales principal pharmacist, community services; chair, Community Services Pharmaceutical Subgroup; member, Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee; member, Welsh Immunisation and Vaccination Subgroup; national committee member and treasurer, Primary and Community Care Pharmacy Network. Previous positions: member, Specialist Development Group, WCPPE 1999–2000; member Pharmacy Community Care Liaison Group 1994–2003, secretary 2001–03; initially PCCPN then PCCLG representative, Society's Primary Care steering group 2001–03; member, Society's working group on "The administration and control of medicines in care homes"; honorary contract Nursing Homes Inspection Services, Dyfed Powys Health Authority 1995–2002; principal pharmacist, Bristol General Hospital; staff pharmacist, mental health and community services, Victoria Hospital, Blackpool; pharmacist, Lodge Moor Hospital, Sheffield.

Statement: As an all Wales specialist, I work closely with pharmacists providing a variety of services throughout the country. As such I have an understanding of how the profession is meeting the opportunities and challenges of new working practices and a "new look" NHS Wales. Working at the health and social care boundary for many years, I have knowledge of the requirements of both patients and other service users and the issues around providing them. This and the broad experiences gained by working with the Society and the Assembly will enable me to make a significant contribution to the working of the Executive.

Robert Gartside, FRPharmS, of Llanberis, Caernarfon, registered in 1959. Current positions: North Wales regional officer Community Pharmacy Wales; member and past chair, Welsh Executive; member, Community Pharmacy Wales; member, Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee; member, North Wales District Pharmaceutical Committee; community pharmacy locum. Previous positions: administrative manager, pharmaceutical industry development laboratory; community pharmacy owner on Merseyside and in North Wales; chair and treasurer, Gwynedd branch; member, working parties for both Society and Welsh Office.

Statement: Since I wrote, and the Executive accepted, a paper setting out the benefits of devolution, Wales has been a leader in pharmaceutical innovation. It is my belief that devolution offers hope of new pharmaceutical developments which will enhance and expand the profession's role and standing, the job satisfaction of pharmacists and the effective treatment of patients This means prescribing by pharmacists and both short- and long-term medicines management by pharmacists. The good relations built up between the Welsh Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government enable us to take a lead because we can communicate effectively with decision makers.

Peter Jones, BSc(Hons), MRPharmS, of Bridgend, registered in 1975. Current positions: professional development pharmacist for Boots The Chemists, South Wales; member, Welsh Executive since 2000; member, Welsh Executive Public Affairs Committee since 2001; member, Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee since 2002; member, Welsh Committee for the Professional Development of Pharmacy since 2000; member, Community Pharmacy Wales, mid and west regional committee; member, NHS Direct multiprofessional steering group and pharmacy subgroup; member, Dyfed Powys needle exchange scheme; member, Welsh Pharmaceutical Golfing Society; Member, Bridgend Lions Club International. Previous positions: managerial appointments in Boots The Chemists, Guildford, Bridgend, Porthcawl and Carmarthen; Dyfed Powys LPC 1996– 2003; Dyfed Powys pharmaceutical services negotiating team; Dyfed Powys Pharmaceutical Committee; Carmarthenshire drugs and alcohol abuse local implementation team; preregistration tutor 1979–99.

Statement: Pharmacy is currently going through great change. Still a practising community pharmacist, over the last three years my current employment position has allowed me to promote pharmacy including elements of the proposed new contract to a number of Welsh Assembly Government members, Assembly Ministers and Members of Parliament. I am heavily involved with clinical governance, audit, CPD and support staff qualification and training — all major policies that are affecting pharmacy. I believe that by utilising my personal knowledge and experience, I can continue to assist the Executive in ensuring deliverable policy decisions are proposed while not compromising professional standards.

Colin Hugh Thomas, FRPharmS, of Bridgend, registered in 1966. Current positions: independent locum pharmacist; acting secretary to Community Pharmacy Wales — south east Wales region; pharmacist board member of Bridgend Local Health Board; chairman of the primary care strategy group of Bridgend Local Health Board. Previous positions: secretary to Bro Taf and Iechyd Morgannwg local pharmaceutical committees; chairman of Bridgend Local Health Group; member of the Welsh Executive; chairman of Morgannwg branch; sessional pharmacist at Health Promotion Wales; chairman and principal shareholder of two pharmacy companies; manager of Boots the Chemists in London; associate director of Iechyd Morgannwg Health Authority. Civil honours: Justice of the Peace; officer of the Order of St John. Professional awards: designated a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in 2001.

Statement: I am confident pharmacy has a major opportunity of being an important player in Wales within health, social care and well-being strategy. This can be achieved by the whole pharmacy family acting together. This will benefit our profession and our patients. If elected, I could make a contribution to the Executive. I have been involved in the main changes that have occurred relating to the future direction of health strategy in Wales and our profession in particular. I welcome the opportunity of participating on the Executive and offering my enthusiasm, time commitment and ability to communicate through effective networking.

John Williams, BSc(Hons), MRPharmS, DipCommPharm, of Llanharry, Mid Glamorgan, registered in 1979. Current positions: community pharmacy proprietor, Llanharry. Previous positions: hospital pharmacist; pharmacy locum; pharmacy manager.

Statement: I have worked as a community pharmacist for over 20 years meeting patients every day. I have an extensive knowledge of community pharmacy and an insight into hospital pharmacy. I would strive to work with the Welsh Executive to enable pharmacists to work towards the policies of the Society in Wales.