Pharmacist wins “Leader for change” award
Joel Hirst: quality improvement facilitator |
Joel Hirst, a pharmacist and quality improvement facilitator in medicines and pharmacy at Bristol North Primary Care Trust, has won a “Leaders for change” award for a project that focuses on increasing the role of community pharmacists in the provision of local health services.
The project, one of 12 recognised by the charity The
Health Foundation,
involves a minor ailments scheme, innovative use of community pharmacists
to provide enhanced services in public health and an increase in the
number of pharmacists involved in the management of long-term conditions.
Mr Hirst told The Journal that he hopes the third strand will be achieved
by getting more community pharmacists engaged in medicines use reviews
as well as commissioning specialist clinical services from suitably trained
pharmacists. The first three long-term conditions to be targeted are
epilepsy, mental health and asthma.
The 14-month award scheme is work-based and provides a place on a structured
learning programme in change management at Lancaster University management
school, funding for a mentor and £3,000 for training and development
needs.
Mr Hirst commented: “This award and the change management programme
provide me with a great opportunity to position community pharmacy at
the heart of the local medical and public health services.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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