Hospital Pharmacist
Vol 9 No 6 p154
June 2002

RPSGB Council — the input of a hospital pharmacist

By Alison B. Ewing, MSc, MRPharmS

It is now two years since I became a member of the RPSGB Council. Having been asked to write about Council from the perspective of a hospital pharmacist I must say that the section in which a Council member works is not the main issue — it is the role of representing the whole profession that is important. No doubt, having a hospital background makes me look at matters in a different light and helps to give a more rounded picture for the Council to make decisions.

So why did I want to become a member of the Society's Council? Well, it was the new millennium, I had just turned 40 and I thought, what next? It was something I had always wanted to do and I did it! It is an enormous amount of work being a Council member — but extremely enjoyable. As well as the regular Council meetings, there are various committees, branch and regional meetings and assorted other activities where you are required to represent the Society.

A time of change

At this time of great change, I am pleased to be able to help influence the future of the profession. I am glad that the future direction of the Society to retain both its regulatory and professional roles has been decided and we will move forward to ensure that both these roles are fulfilled. The composition of the Council will change as a result of the modernisation programme. This is currently being discussed (The Pharmaceutical Journal, pull-out sections, 15 June, 22 June on the Society's modernisation steering group discussion paper), and a paper for consultation is being produced. It is important that all members contribute to the process.

As a hospital pharmacist, I feel able to contribute a different point of view when it comes to discussing some of the big issues, eg, the use of trained technical staff. It has been a steep learning curve for me to take in many of the concerns, especially in community pharmacy and other sectors of which I have had little experience. However, my own experience coupled with the knowledge I have acquired, allows me to weigh up the problems and give my own considered opinion.

Committee work

There are four standing committees of the RPSGB — Science, Education, Practice, and Law and Ethics. There is also the Infringements Committee that acts as a screening committee for the Statutory Committee.

Most of work that is done in order to produce papers and proposed policy for Council, takes place in these committees. I have been on the Law and Ethics Committee for two years, which has proved to be extremely educational. Recently, one of the main items for this committee has been the area of supervision. I relied on colleagues and extra reading to give me a wide picture of the issues for the profession, because as a hospital pharmacist it was not something about which I had a great deal of experience. We are now in a consultation period and I hope to be able to contribute to the final decisions in a constructive way. There are some big issues to be tackled and I now understand them much more clearly.

For the past year, I have been the chairperson of the Science Committee. This has been a remarkably interesting and worthwhile time. I have had the chance to explore all sorts of new subjects such as pharmacogenomics, and meet people who are the real movers and shakers. It has also been an opportunity to promote the role of the pharmacist as the "Scientist in the high street".

Being the chair of a standing committee, required me to serve on the Resource Management Committee where the major financial matters of the Society are discussed. This has been challenging but the experience I have had of running a pharmacy department within a large NHS trust has been invaluable in helping me to understand some of the budgetary implications. Public sector financial standards are high and I have been able to contribute my knowledge of some of the better systems which improve ways of working, in order to help maintain high standards within the Society.

During the past year, I have also served on the Audit Committee, Infringements Committee and the Public Affairs Planning Committee. The last of these deals with the major political issues that affect pharmacy and has given me a fascinating insight into just how policy is developed and implemented at government level.

The Society also has several specialist interest groups. One of these, the Hospital Pharmacists Group, deals with the major topics of interest to hospital pharmacists and advises Council on policy in this area. As well as two Council members, (one of whom is a hospital pharmacist) there are elected representatives from all over the country; hence, it has a membership with different experiences which gives sound advice to Council.

The future

So what of the future for hospital pharmacy? The Audit Commission document "A spoonful of sugar" has been published and sets out the way forward. Council was fortunate enough to be addressed by Nick Mapestone, one of the authors of the report, who explained to us details of what the Commission is planning. This gave all Council members an opportunity to understand more about pharmacy in the managed sector. I believe that there is an opportunity for all sectors of the profession to gain something from this valuable piece of work.

One of the best things about being on Council is getting the chance to meet members at Society branch meetings when attending as a speaker. I have been all over the country, especially in recent months, to discuss the modernisation programme. Diverse views are expressed and this all adds to the debate.

I have one more year to go in my term of office and it is an important year for the profession. I hope that in fulfilling my council duties I can help chart the course for a healthy future for all pharmacists. I still have a lot to learn, but will continue to work hard and give the hospital point of view.