The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7314 s1 (insert)
28 August 2004

Network news (August 2004)

The branch, the pizza box and the future of pharmacy

For most readers of Network News, the “pizza boxes” (is it only my husband who calls them that?) will finally have landed. The continuing professional development (CPD) roll-out will be completed by October this year, and pharmacists will have had the opportunity to consider the new system and what it means to them.

There are several possible responses to receiving the CPD pack: from mild-to-moderate interest to mild-to-moderate panic. I doubt that anyone ripped it open and immediately played the video and made a record. Like me, several people probably lost their ID and password for the website, until it reappeared from beneath a pile of paper. I suspect that a significant number of pharmacists planned to leave the practising register as soon as the changes are implemented.

What we hope is that most pharmacists will recognise that embracing the concept of CPD and acting upon it will have benefits for ourselves personally and as a profession.

I have attended many branch meetings about CPD over the past couple of years. There were notable common features:

· They were well attended
· Strong views were expressed for and against the concept
· Pharmacists from sectors other than community and hospital were concerned about what it means for them
· The Society speakers had the opportunity to address a lot of misunderstandings
· The Society speakers learnt a lot from members

The result of these meetings has been the development of initiatives that put the local branch at the centre of CPD support for pharmacists. The “CPD toolkit” has been created as a series of interactive modules that can be bolted on to a branch meeting on any topic. The half-hour modules can also be combined to form a meeting in their own right. The principle is that these modules illuminate some of the basic concepts (and misconceptions) about CPD and present the subject matter in entertaining ways. Modules have been piloted at branch meetings and the feedback so far has been positive. Many thanks to the branches that took part — Harrow and Hillingdon, Central Lancashire and Sunderland.

Of course, the paper stuff and presentations are not the most important part of the support system. We need people, real people — pharmacists to whom other pharmacists can relate. We are delighted to report that we have recruited 21 local CPD facilitators who will work across a defined local area to support the branches on that patch. These local contacts will be able to use the toolkit at branch meetings and will be a general source of advice.

Extending the support network even further, each branch has been invited to send one or two members to a series of CPD seminars. This means that each branch will have direct access to interested pharmacists who may help to act as informal mentors to other pharmacists on the patch. The CPD facilitators will support them. So the team is really now quite extensive.

I am sure that the branches will make the difference between the feelings of mild-to-moderate interest and the mild-to-moderate panic. I have already seen the relief and understanding among members who have attended these meetings. I look forward to the “you show me your CPD record and I’ll show you mine” meetings of the future. I will certainly need something like that.

Leadership development

Although CPD is undoubtedly the subject that is taxing most branches and members, there are other important developments that merit mention here.

The Society is launching a “local leadership” initiative, and branch secretaries who attended the branch representatives’ meeting in May will have heard David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement, talk about the Society’s plans. Identifying local pharmacy leaders (both the obvious and the less obvious) is crucial within the context of greater devolution and local negotiation. The branch network contains many local leaders, and we look forward to working with you on this.

The 2001 “Shaping up for the future” review has led to much change over the past 18 months and I know it has been far from easy for many branch officers. We recognise that and appreciate it, but the good news is that the results we are now seeing are really positive. The changes made, and new initiatives such as the “Future branch” pilot scheme, have ensured that the branches continue to have a prominent position within the Society.

Nine branches are taking part in the “Future branch scheme”, exploring new ways of organising their programmes to capture best practice and appeal to a wider pharmaceutical audience.

In addition, 50 branches have been awarded additional funding for 2004. The extra money can be used for expenses associated with organising meetings, as well as for local PR campaigns, strategic mailings on key issues to branch members and so on.

The regions have, I know, been wondering what their role will be within the reform of the Society. I have already had an interesting discussion with one region about possible ways forward, but these discussions need to spread to ensure that regions also secure their own important role. Again, increasing local devolution points towards some developments in this area.

British Pharmaceutical Conference

I would like to remind you that the British Pharmaceutical Conference 2004 takes place at the Manchester International Convention Centre from 27 to 29 September. This is the year’s biggest event for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, and offers a great chance to network as well as to take part in workshops, discussions and debates on topical themes. CPD will form a large part of that debate, so if your branch has not already done so then it would be well worth considering sending one of your members to the conference.

Branches sending first time delegates to BPC can claim £250 funding from the Society to help with the cost of attending. Also I am pleased that for 2004 a special £5 rate is available for full-time students attending on the Wednesday. This initiative is being supported by the British Pharmaceutical Students Association and full details are available by visiting the BPC website at www.BPC2004.org

So here we are again at the beginning of a “new” branch year. Please take the time to look through the outline of local events in Network News, and plan your attendances now to support your local branch. And, in the spirit of CPD, reflect, plan, act and evaluate!