Change presents opportunity, technicians are told
Chris Elmes/IT/RPSGB
Carwen Wynne Howells: all the stepping stones are in place |
A tremendous opportunity for the pharmacy profession is presented by recent changes to health care legislation, according to Carwen Wynne Howells, Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser for Wales. “All the stepping
stones are in place”, she said, for pharmacy to grasp the clinical
role it has been seeking.
Miss Wynne Howells was speaking at the Association
of Pharmacy Technicians UK conference, held in Birmingham last weekend. She pointed out that
changes brought about by the Health Act 2006 would alter the definition
of “personal control” and “supervision”, impacting
on skill mix.
Miss Wynne Howells also said that it was her personal opinion that a
royal college of pharmacy (not exclusive to pharmacists) should be formed.
This is an opportunity for technicians to say “we want to join
the party”, she said, and is in line with the inclusive nature
of the Welsh Assembly Government’s pharmacy strategy for Wales.
Miss Wynne Howells also said that the regulation of pharmacy technicians
would enable role development in a structured way, and that she supported
the development of higher level qualifications (eg, to degree level)
for those wishing to advance their practice.
Barriers to developing the potential of technicians included a lack of
investment in services to enable the best use of skill mix and a lack
of willingness among some technicians to transfer their skills to new
roles, because of a lack of confidence, she said.
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