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Letters to the Editor
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Technicians
Disappointing divide between pharmacists and technicians
From Mr A. Young, MRPharmS, and Miss J. Cant
We write in response to several letters that have appeared in recent
issues. It seems a divide is growing between pharmacists and technicians.
This is a disappointing attitude to have, especially at a time when both
pharmacists’ and technicians’ roles are expanding.
At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, pharmacists and technicians work together
to provide excellent pharmaceutical care. Each team member has skills
that can be brought to the
bedside to benefit patients. Working in the NHS should not be about trying
to outdo other members of the health care team but about adopting a skill
mix so that we fully use each other’s skills in an appropriate
way.
Our roles were created when the National Service Framework for Older
People was published. We work together to implement pharmaceutical care
across the older persons directorate. The pharmacist’s role is
to complete a medication review for each patient and to offer clinical
advice to all members of the multidisciplinary team. Using specifically
designed tools, the technician assesses each patient to see whether he
or she can safely administer his or her own medicines. The pharmacist
and technician then meet to decide the way forward for the patient to
enable a safe discharge in terms of medication. A discharge goal is then
set. This outlines the action needed before a patient can be discharged,
for example, providing a compliance aid, a medication reminder chart
or simple counselling. It is also possible to place patients on a programme
of target-based self-administration where, through prompting or supervision
by nursing staff, it is ensured that patients can take their medicines
safely. In our view, a patient’s ability to self-medicate safely
is just as important as their ability to walk up the stairs or to put
the kettle on.
At the time of discharge the technician produces electronically a medication
reminder chart using a drug database designed by the pharmacist, and
counsels the patient. The pharmacist prepares the electronic discharge
prescription and an electronic discharge letter, detailing any medication
issues, such as dose changes. This also details any medication-related
tests required and all compliance issues.
In conclusion, the services offered by a pharmacy team should be patient-centred
and work for the benefit of the patient. As long as team members work
within their areas of competence, why should it matter who does which
job?
Anthony Young
Older Persons Pharmacist
Joanne Cant
Older Persons Technician
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead Health Foundation Trust, Gateshead
Can pharmacists not see what is in front of their faces?
From Ms J. Bayley
I am sure I am not the only pharmacy technician to be concerned at the
way pharmacists seem to think that we should remain in the dispensary “pill
pushing”. Some pharmacists like Andrew
Pothecary (PJ, 9 April,
p421), seem to think that technicians only qualify to do the work pharmacists
do not want to do.
I have been a technician for 20 years and I have a greater knowledge
and more work experience than a pharmacist who has just qualified. Why,
then, should I not explore new roles? Mr Pothecary says that technicians
should not be permitted to run clinics or to deal with issues in a clinical
setting because they do not have the clinical knowledge needed to deal
with patients. I am sure I speak for all technicians when I say that
none of us would counsel patients or answer queries from patients without
having the knowledge to do so, whereas I have heard newly qualified pharmacists
bluffing their way through queries. I would like to see data that suggest
that technicians cannot do the job as well as a pharmacist.
Finally, he mentions prescribing support technicians. I am a medicines
management technician in a local primary care trust and I contribute
a great deal to better prescribing from our GPs. If there were no technicians
working hard to reduce spending and increase better prescribing PCTs
would not have the money to spend on the new pharmacy contract, including
enhanced and additional services.
I am upset that there are pharmacists who just do not see what they have
in front of their faces and how technicians can help in many areas other
than just dispensing.
Jackie Bayley
Medicines Management Technician
Moorlands Primary Care Trust
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