Welsh Executive election candidates’ “Who’s who”
Six candidates are contesting this year’s election
of four members of the Welsh Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society. Voting papers
are to be posted shortly and must be returned by noon on 3 June
We have been supplied with the following biographies and statements
for 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 six
candidates for the four vacancies.
Voting papers will be posted on Thursday 13 May and must be returned
using the reply envelope provided to be received by noon on Thursday
3 June 2004.
Any pharmacist whose address in the register is in Wales and who has
not received a voting paper by Friday 21 May should contact the Society’s
headquarters in Wales (tel 029 2041 2800; fax 029 2041 2810; e-mail wales@rpsgb.org).
Nuala Margaret Brennan, BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS, Dip Clin Com Pharm,
(currently awaiting master of public health degree results, University
of Wales College of Medicine), of Newport, Gwent, registered in 1980.
Current positions — Consultant in pharmaceutical public health,
National Public Health Service for Wales.
Previous positions — Deputy director of pharmaceutical public health,
including pharmaceutical inspection of registered nursing homes, Gwent
Health Authority 2001–03; Torfaen Local Health Board pharmacist
member 1999–2001, vice-chairman, Gwent Local Pharmaceutical Committee
1998– 2000; various appointments with Boots The Chemists 1980–98
as store manager, pharmacist and preregistration tutor, including Newport
(Maindee), Chepstow, Yate, Cwmbran and Cardiff Bay; regional appointments
with Boots 1998–2001, including operations review project team
member, regional training and development manager, change management
project pioneer, south-western region.
Statement I have spent most of my working life as a community pharmacist,
finding it rewarding, though stressful at times. I still work closely
with community pharmacy colleagues as well as pharmacists in primary
and secondary care, through involvement in service development and clinical
governance issues. In general, pharmacists remain undervalued, under-utilised,
lacking the opportunity to make a potentially huge contribution to population
health. This is because we are hampered by a perception of the profession
based on historical roles. I would welcome a chance to change that perception
as part of the Welsh Executive, encouraging a broader view of the profession.
Sarah Margaret Elizabeth Cockbill, PhD, LLM, BPharm, MPharm, DAgVetPharm,
MIPharmM, FCPP, FRPharmS, of Chepstow, Monmouthshire, registered in 1970.
Current positions — Teaching fellow, Welsh School of Pharmacy.
Locum community pharmacist. Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s
Welsh Executive. Chairman of the executive’s subcommittee for repeat
prescribing. Member of court, University of Wales. Visiting teaching
fellow, University of Wales College of Medicine. Member of Society’s
Veterinary Pharmacists Group Committee. Vice-president, Veterinary Wound
Healing Association. Non-executive pharmacist member, Monmouthshire Local
Health Board. Member, Veterinary Products Committee and its medical and
scientific panel. Treasurer and careers officer, Society’s Cardiff
and South Glamorgan branch.
Previous positions — Chairman and vice-chairman, Welsh Executive.
Director, University of Wales diploma/MSc in community pharmacy. Chairman,
working party for Welsh Executive’s ways of working with the Welsh
Assembly. Member, Society’s Welsh Executive public affairs working
group. Chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, assistant secretary and public
relations officer, Cardiff and South Glamorgan branch.
Statement The practice of pharmacy is changing exponentially and as pharmacists
embrace new responsibilities for medicines management and patient care
I believe that my practical experience of community, hospital, academic
and veterinary pharmacy, together with my contacts within the machinery
of government, will allow me to continue to help implement the Society’s
policies in Wales. My experience of liaising with pharmacists and members
of other professions, when combined with my decision-making and communication
skills, will also be useful to the executive to promote effective dialogue
as Welsh Assembly practice opportunities and initiatives continue to
unfold.
Mair Davies, BPharm, DipCommPharm, MRPharmS, of Groesfaen, Mid Glamorgan,
registered in 1974.
Current positions — Postgraduate continuous professional development
tutor, Welsh Centre for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education; Member,
Welsh Executive; chairman, direct supply support group, Welsh Executive;
member, direct supply implementation group, Welsh Assembly Government;
consultant to MSc in community pharmacy, Welsh School of Pharmacy; member
of board of examiners MSc/diploma in community pharmacy; member of postgraduate
school’s quality committee and student/staff panel, University
of Wales College of Medicine; member, equal opportunities committee,
WSoP.
Previous positions — Preregistration training followed by a hospital
pharmacist post at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; management
training and post with Boots The Chemists 1977–81; pharmacy contractor
of two pharmacies in Bro Taf 1982–99; Course Director, MSc in community
pharmacy, Welsh School of Pharmacy 1999–2003; Treasurer 1980–83,
vice-chairman 1983–84, chairman 1984–85, Mid Glamorgan East
branch, Royal Pharmaceutical Society; member, Iechyd Morgannwg District
Pharmaceutical Committee.
Statement My current roles, together with experience of practice in hospital,
academia and community pharmacy, give me an insight and understanding
of the challenges and opportunities facing all branches of our profession.
Welsh is my first language and I am aware of the complexities of Welsh
politics. Management of change is a key element for the executive to
implement the Society and Welsh Assembly Government policies. I can bring
my knowledge of pharmacy and experience of managing change, while offering
a commitment to hard work, enthusiasm, and a genuine belief that pharmacy
can become an integral part of the health care team.
Paul Gimson, BPharm (Hons), DipCommPharm, MRPharmS, ACCP, of Cardiff,
registered in 1994.
Current positions — Pharmaceutical adviser, Caerphilly Local Health
Board; teacher-practitioner, Welsh School of Pharmacy; vice-chairman,
Cardiff and the Vale branch, RPSGB; pharmacist representative, All Wales
Prescribing Advisory Group; locum pharmacist.
Previous positions — Community pharmacy development officer, 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 Cardiff
branch for National Co-operative Chemists, 1994– 2000.
Statement Are you frustrated by the slow pace of improvements in what
we do as pharmacists? I know I am. I love my profession, but feel that
not enough is being done to utilise our unique skills. I am told I never
shut up, so maybe I can put my powers of annoyance to good use. I say
what I think and hopefully my experience in both community pharmacy and
the health service means I know what I am talking about. Hopefully you
will give me the chance to help build on the good work that is already
being done in Wales.
Alan Harvey Screen, MRPharmS, registered in 1967.
Current positions — Proprietor of community pharmacy (since 1977)
and Marches Centre for Complementary Medicine (since 1998), Bishop’s
Castle; Member of the Society’s Welsh Executive — finance
liaison officer and member of public affairs working group; chairman;
Powys branch of the Society (since 1992); member, Commonwealth Pharmaceutical
Association and Community Pharmacy Group; member, Shropshire Local Pharmaceutical
Committee; pharmacist non-officer member, Powys Local Health Board (chairman
of audit committee); chairman, Mid-Wales Bridge Association and vice-president,
Welsh Bridge Union.
Previous positions — Manager of community pharmacies in Cheshire,
Shropshire and Clwyd, 1967–77; variously, chairman, secretary,
president of Bishop’s Castle Chamber of Trade 1985–2001;
appointments secretary, Mid-Wales Rugby Referees Society 1986–90;
captain, Dinas Powys (1966) and Bishop’s Castle (1978-1980) rugby
clubs; secretary and chairman (variously), Tref-y-Clawdd Rugby Club (1986–90);
variously, branch chairman, constituency vice-chairman, area vice-chairman,
The Conservative Party (1985–2003); chairman, Welsh Pharmaceutical
Students’ Association (1966–67). Captain, Monmouthshire Secondary
Schools Cross-Country Team (1960–62)
Statement Devolution has created challenges and opportunities
and the Welsh Executive, which was founded by a few visionaries in 1976,
has
evolved (rapidly during the past three years) into a dynamic and proactive
team of executive and secretariat, and is well placed to help all branches
of pharmacy to progress positively. The close working relationships we
have established with Assembly Members,
Welsh Assembly Government and other committees representing various facets
of pharmacy, need continual enhancement to ensure maximum benefit for
pharmacy. Experience gained from business, political, professional and
sporting activities gives me the skills to help the executive to deliver
on all fronts.
David Vaughan Thomas, BPharm (hons), MRPharmS, registered in 1987.
Current positions — Director of LT Chemists Ltd, an independent
community pharmacy group; pharmacist board member and vice-chairman of
Newport Local Health Board.
Previous positions — Managerial appointments for Boots The Chemists
in South Wales and South West 1994–2002; managerial appointments
for Lloyds Chemists in South Wales 1988–94.
Statement Community pharmacy will undergo a considerable change once
the new contract is in place. This presents opportunities and challenges
for pharmacists in Wales. The health, social care and well being strategy
for your local health board will influence how you can practise pharmacy
at a local level. With my knowledge and experience as both a community
pharmacist and LHB board member, I would be able to assist the executive
in influencing how pharmacists in Wales wish to practise their profession
and address these issues |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal