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Opportunity knocks for pharmacists

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Opportunity knocks for pharmacists

The Mary Seacole course has been a positive experience and a good way to get talking about developments in community pharmacy, says pharmacist Thorrun Govind

Opportunities for pharmacists are all around. Whether that be the chance to engage with the NHS Mary Seacole leadership programme or the pharmacy diploma, there are so many opportunities now available for pharmacists to develop their skills.

Thorrun Govind: opportunity

The Pharmacy Integration-funded Mary Seacole course has provided me with the opportunity to study online and I have met with my peers several times already.

Cast aside your perceptions of a dull leadership course where you sit in a room being lectured at. This course is dynamic, engaging and encourages you to link your learning to practice. A personal highlight so far has been a coaching session that provided the opportunity to work with a client on an issue.

The subsequent feedback from a peer who observed my interaction allowed me to reflect on how I can better support patients in the pharmacy. It can be hard to analyse how – and what – you could do better when you have a queue of patients waiting.

Sharing ideas

I’m just about three-quarters of the way through the course already. One of the most valuable aspects has been having the space and time to engage with my peers. In the pharmacy it can be hard to find the time to share practice, both good and bad, in order to improve. It’s definitely good to talk.

It’s not just pharmacists on the course, but pharmacy technicians and members of Local Pharmaceutical Committees. This has provided an opportunity to discuss how we can all work better together. In an increasingly pressurised healthcare environment, optimising how you use your staff is vital to ensure patients benefit while ensuring the wellbeing of the whole team.

The experience has left an impression on me and has encouraged me to do more.

What do you plan to get involved in next?

Thorrun Govind is a pharmacist and an active contributor to the sector: @pharmthorrun

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