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Recent NHS data sheds light on the evolving landscape of fit note certification, indicating a gradual expansion of roles beyond traditional medical practitioners to pharmacists and nurses. This uptake in numbers coincides with the Department of Work and Pensions's (DWP) call for evidence in relation to fit note reform which will remain open till 8 July 2024. According to figures published by NHS Digital, during the nine-month period from April 2023 to December 2023, pharmacists certified a significant number of fit notes. Approximately 1.4 per cent of fit notes of the 8 million were issued by pharmacists while the rest were issued by the GP surgeries reflecting the impact following legislative amendments in July 2022, which extended certification authority to pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. In June 2022, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) advised pharmacists not to sign fit notes where the required therapeutic, diagnostic, or examination skills lie outside their scope of competence. The association remarked that healthcare professionals needed mandatory training under the Health Education England before they are fit to issue fitness notes to the public.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has initiated the evaluation of its five-year strategy for changing the way it manage concerns about pharmacy professionals. It has urged people to share their experience of fitness to practice. The evaluation will look at how the strategy has improved the experience of people involved in fitness to practice (those who raise concerns, professionals, witnesses etc.); impacted the culture amongst pharmacy professionals and their attitudes to openness and honesty; improved the process and made it fairer and changed perceptions of fitness to practice. The first phase of the evaluation process will take place from July to September 2023. The council said: "We are committed to making our ambitions a reality for the benefit of everyone involved and your contribution will help us to make sure patients and the public continue to be protected while being fair to pharmacy professionals." In June 2021, GPhC published its five-year strategy- Managing concerns about pharmacy professionals: Guided by its 2030 vision and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the strategy outlines a programme for change.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee has removed a pharmacy technician from Register after been found guilty of possessing 'indecent photographs of a child'. Graeme Arthur, a pharmacy technician first registered with GPhC on 1 September 2019, under the registration number 5039154, was found guilty at Peterlee Magistrate's Court in August 2022. He received an 18-month Community Order, and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 5 years, He was also ordered to undertake a period of rehabilitation activity for 40 days. In the remote video linking hearing held on 2 - 3 May, the Fitness to Practise Committee found Arthur's fitness to practise to be currently impaired on grounds of protection of the public and in the wider public interest of declaring and upholding the Standards of the profession and maintaining public confidence in the reputation of the profession. The committee considers this to be a serious conviction for an offence which has included possession of the most serious category of images of sexual abuse of children. It said: "Although Mr Arthur had no direct contact with the children concerned, the nature of the abuse is that it thrives on the demand from those who search for and view the images online. As such, children come to actual harm indirectly through the activity of someone viewing and possession of images of sexual abuse."

A new legislation has been introduced to allow authorised pharmacists along with other healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland to certify 'fit notes', health minister Robin Swann has announced. Pharmacists and some other healthcare professionals in England, Scotland and Wales are already allowed to sign 'fit notes'. Swann announced that 'fit notes' were also set to go fully digital in the future, meaning they would no longer need to be signed in ink. He said: "I am delighted to introduce this legislation in Northern Ireland. This change will make it easier for people and employers to get the advice they need so people can stay in work and will help free up doctors' time. "Too often we see people being faced with unnecessary challenges to get a fit note. More professionals being able to offer this vital service will speed up the process and support people to return to or remain in work."

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee decided to remove a pharmacist from the GPhC Register at a 'remote videolink' hearing held on 13 - 14 April. "The decision will not take effect until 12 May 2023 or, if an appeal is lodged, once that appeal has been concluded," the committee said. Kapil Ramesh Rabadia, a pharmacist first registered on 25 July 2011 with GPhC under registration number 2075823 was convicted of 'fraud by abuse of position' and 'being concerned in supplying controlled drugs' following a guilty plea on 13 September 2021. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the fraud by abuse of position and six months in respect of supplying a 3 Class B drug. However, the interim suspension set out in the decision takes effect immediately and will lapse when the removal decision takes effect or once any appeal is concluded. Between May 2018 and June 2019, Kapil ordered codeine linctus and Phenergan in excess of 100 bottles of each for four men who threatened him with knives and guns. The men told the pharmacist that he needed to continue to make the supplies or "there would be consequences" for him and his family.

I believe as we start running we need to get the fundamentals of our running action right then we can build on that.

I believe as we start running we need to get the fundamentals of our running action right then we can build on that.

When Barry Allen lost his job, he gained a new passion that he has converted into a burgeoning new business.

When Barry Allen lost his job, he gained a new passion that he has converted into a burgeoning new business.

In order to burn the fat from the buttocks and tone it up, there are several things to take into consideration such as the number of calories, good and bad carbohydrates and good and bad fats on your diet, drinking a lot of water will be always good for your body and of course, all of this is won't be enough if you don't exercise.

In order to burn the fat from the buttocks and tone it up, there are several things to take into consideration such as the number of calories, good and bad carbohydrates and good and bad fats on your diet, drinking a lot of water will be always good for your body and of course, all of this is won't be enough if you don't exercise.

The Department of Health and Social Care has clarified that community pharmacists will not be among those allowed to issue sick notes, calling the service unsuitable to be provided over the counter. In response to a question from Pharmacy Business, a spokesperson for the department said that the policy change was "aimed at pharmacists working within general practices or hospital settings", adding: "The intention is that 'where' the fit note is issued will remain the same but 'who' issues it will change. The DHSC went on to explain that fit notes, known technically as 'Med3', were "not part of the NHS commissioned services" and therefore private providers, such as high street pharmacies, were unable to provide it under government provision. It added that since "fit notes should only be issued following a full assessment of a patient's fitness for work", it "would be an unsuitable service to be provided 'over the counter'.

If you practice yoga to keep fit, you'll know that it is important to feel comfortable. If you don't, it can impact on your enjoyment and may eventually cause you to skip classes or give up altogether. In addition, when you are uncomfortable it interferes with your concentration, and this is essential to get the best out of yoga and many other kinds of exercise.

If you practice yoga to keep fit, you'll know that it is important to feel comfortable. If you don't, it can impact on your enjoyment and may eventually cause you to skip classes or give up altogether. In addition, when you are uncomfortable it interferes with your concentration, and this is essential to get the best out of yoga and many other kinds of exercise.

Weight loss benefits of chia seeds are known for decades and are touted by dieticians and physicians across the world. Yet, many disbelief that such tiny seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients that boosts up energy and can aid in shedding up all the extra weights of the body if included in the...

I have always been what most would consider a "big girl". In January 2014, I weighed 180 lbs (around 82 kilograms), which is quite overweight for a woman my height. I wasn't always this weight though. In my teenage years, I weighed only 140 pounds and I felt much healthier and happier.

One of the most important things to aim for when purchasing clothes to wear during exercise, is comfort - for women this is especially when it comes to a bra. It is true to say that just one bra may not be the ultimate choice. Much depends on your exercise regime - and your cup size.

One of the most important things to aim for when purchasing clothes to wear during exercise, is comfort - for women this is especially when it comes to a bra. It is true to say that just one bra may not be the ultimate choice. Much depends on your exercise regime - and your cup size.

One thing that can be counted on when you workout or exercise is getting warmer. The whole idea is to increase your heart rate and tone the muscles and this is going to make you get hotter and perspire - perspiration is the body's natural way of keeping cool. However after your workout, it is important to stay warm for several reasons.

One thing that can be counted on when you workout or exercise is getting warmer. The whole idea is to increase your heart rate and tone the muscles and this is going to make you get hotter and perspire - perspiration is the body's natural way of keeping cool. However after your workout, it is important to stay warm for several reasons.

"There are many different kinds of safety factors that should be adhered to when you are exercising. For instance, it is essential to warm up beforehand and warm down afterwards to prevent muscle and tendon strain and injury. It is also wise to start your exercise regime at the low end of the scale and build up gradually over some weeks, so you don't strain muscles that are weak. However, there are less obvious considerations that are often forgotten when you go off to your exercise class."

"There are many different kinds of safety factors that should be adhered to when you are exercising. For instance, it is essential to warm up beforehand and warm down afterwards to prevent muscle and tendon strain and injury. It is also wise to start your exercise regime at the low end of the scale and build up gradually over some weeks, so you don't strain muscles that are weak. However, there are less obvious considerations that are often forgotten when you go off to your exercise class."

"Some people think it's okay to wear anything that's comfortable when they head to a gym. However, wearing unsuitable clothing is probably not the right way to get the best out of your exercise time or to feel the best while doing your exercises."

"Some people think it's okay to wear anything that's comfortable when they head to a gym. However, wearing unsuitable clothing is probably not the right way to get the best out of your exercise time or to feel the best while doing your exercises."

It's more than a brand name - Stomp Apparel has the quality and comfort to give you the confidence you need to get active, feel good about yourself and just look forward to the next hill.

It's more than a brand name - Stomp Apparel has the quality and comfort to give you the confidence you need to get active, feel good about yourself and just look forward to the next hill.

"Your fitness and health change, my 5 tips to getting you started."

"Your fitness and health change, my 5 tips to getting you started."