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The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has called for a mandatory training for those who wish to sign fit notes. The union said it will be seeking urgent clarification around the rollout of guidance and timescales of when this will be available to PDA members working in primary care and hospitals, who will be at the forefront of the implementation. "As with any activity, regulated health professionals will be expected to ensure they have received adequate training and guidance before taking on new elements of practice and to ensure they are acting within the limits of their professional competency," said the association. It also highlighted that completing a fit note may have an impact on the income received by the patient and therefore the consequences of supplying the document could mean a direct financial consequence for them, such as eligibility for sick pay or insurance claims, as well as a health outcome. The PDA expects the mandatory training to cover any factors which will need to be considered in this regard so that pharmacists understand any limitations on when, how, and for who they might complete the fit notes.

More than half of pharmacists working in England are considering changing their roles over the next 12-18 months because of work-related issues, a recent survey by The Pharmacists' Defence Association revealed. The survey which concluded on February 18, 2022 had more than 2,500 participants including employed and locum pharmacists from all four UK nations. In the survey, PDA asked respondents about their current roles and future career plans. The initial feedback showed that unsatisfactory pay and working environments, lack of professional fulfilment, and poor management were the key factors for pharmacy professionals to reconsider their current positions.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in collaboration with Health Education England's Centre for Advancing Practice and the Centre for Pharmacy Post Graduate Education (CPPE) will provide a pharmacy-specific professional development pathway for advanced pharmacist practice. Successful completion of the pathway, assured through the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum assessment, will result in pharmacists being recognised by RPS as an advanced pharmacist, along with the awarding of HEE's Centre for Advancing Practice's 'Advanced' digital badge, demonstrating the quality assurance of their advanced practice preparation to patients, families, carers, and other healthcare professionals. The first participants in a fully funded, supported e-portfolio pathway to recognise advanced pharmacist practice in England will get underway in March 2023 This new programme is an important step in creating a clear postgraduate career structure for pharmacists in England. The innovative approach provides funding from HEE's Centre for Advancing Practice in 2023-24 for 300 pharmacists in England who are near to, or already practicing at, an advanced level, to enable them to receive supervision and support in building their RPS Core Advanced e-Portfolio from CPPE's pharmacy education supervisors.

ECG has launched a new 'simple and straightforward' Patient Group Direction (PGD) service for pharmacists working in primary care, together with a service which offers direct access to an NHS Consultant for medical advice to offer robust safeguarding as and when needed. Taking on more clinical services with the PGDs can feel daunting and a big responsibility for healthcare professionals. ECG's new medical advice service (for anyone purchasing their PGDs) will offer pharmacists the opportunity to call and speak to a clinical member of the ECG team who will triage the calls and support them. If required, the call will be connected to an experienced NHS Consultant to offer immediate medical advice. The service will start with a Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30hrs provision with an option to increase to 24 /7 for those working out of hours. This is inclusive in the PGD pricing offer. ECG has been the market leader in providing vaccination training to pharmacists since 2004, providing robust knowledge and clinical skills to enable pharmacists to develop their private and NHS commissioned vaccination services (such as flu and covid). By developing their close working relationship with all of the multiples, many smaller chains, membership groups and independents over the years, ECG has continued to further consolidate their 'one stop shop' approach to supporting the sector. ECG wants to offer this sector choices in the level of guidance and support that the individual healthcare professionals feel they need to offer safe care to patients.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has updated the Professional Standards for Homecare Services to ensure high quality care for patients receiving medicines and associated services in the comfort of their own homes. Originally published in 2013, these standards provide a comprehensive framework to support teams involved in planning, commissioning, and delivering homecare services. The RPS said that these standards were updated to ensure that they align with the needs and expectations of recipients of homecare services, as well as commissioners and providers. Changes were made based on responses received through a consultation process, which was participated by representatives from the National Homecare Medicines Committee, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians, the Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland, and the Royal College of Nursing.

The professional leadership body for pharmacists has urged the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) to make it mandatory to have a chief pharmacist within organisations to ensure transparency for patients, the public and pharmacy staff. On 23 January, the GPhC launched a consultation seeking views on the new draft Standards for Chief Pharmacists it has developed to strengthen pharmacy governance. These standards outlined the professional responsibilities and qualifications required by a chief pharmacist to support their organisation and its staff to deliver "safe and effective" pharmacy services. The pharmacy regulator highlighted the importance of having a registered chief pharmacist meeting these standards in hospitals (or relevant settings) to benefit from the new legislation regarding accidental errors. In response to the consultation, the RPS expressed that while meeting these standards could enhance pharmacy governance, they may not provide the framework needed to fully support staff in reporting and learning from errors.

The implementation of the 2017 standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians (IETPT) has improved the performance and preparedness for practice among recently registered pharmacy technicians and the wider workforce, according to a new study. Results of the 2023 research study commissioned by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) showed that 72 per cent of pharmacy technicians felt "well prepared" for practice after training. More number of pharmacy technicians in the community pharmacy expressed readiness for practice (82 per cent) than their peers in the hospital pharmacy (64 peer cent). Led by the Centre for Pharmacy Workforce Studies (CPWS) at the University of Manchester and the consultancy service, ICF, the study involved 142 recently registered pharmacy technicians and 21 employers and supervisors of trainees. Overall, 96 per cent of the surveyed respondents believed that the course effectively covered person-centred care, professionalism and professional knowledge and skills.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England has published a review of its 10-year Vision for Pharmacy Professional Practice that was launched in December 2022 in collaboration with The King's Fund. The 'one year on' vision report highlighted key milestones achieved in the first 12 months since its publication as well as opportunities for further progress. It identified the publication of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which recognises the significant role that pharmacists play in healthcare and commits to growing and expanding the pharmacy workforce, as one of the positive policy developments made since the launch of the vision. The development of a Vision for Community Pharmacy by Community Pharmacy England, the Nuffield Trust and The King's Fund; work on digital integration to enable community pharmacists to update a clinical record; the launch of Pharmacy First scheme; and the publication of the public consultation of pharmacy supervision were other key milestones mentioned in the report.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has developed new draft Standards for Chief Pharmacists to strengthen pharmacy governance. It has set out the professional responsibilities as well as described the knowledge, conduct, and performance required by a chief pharmacist (or equivalent) to support their organisation and its staff to deliver "safe and effective" pharmacy services. The pharmacy regulator has also launched a consultation to find out what patients, carers, and members of the public think about the new draft standards. Participants can share their views "if there are any settings in which the standards could not be applied or met and any positive or negative impacts of the proposals," it said. The survey will open for 12 weeks, from 23 January to 16 April 2024.

Dental care is often seen as a routine part of our healthcare regimen, but its significance cannot be overstated. The health of our teeth and gums affects not just our oral well-being but also our overall health and quality of life. This is especially true when we consider the impact of dental health on the entire family. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of proper dental care for every member of the family and explore the benefits it brings. Understanding Dental Health Understanding dental health is fundamental to appreciating the importance of proper dental care. Professionals at newsmilelife.com explain how dental care involves a spectrum of practices dedicated to preserving the well-being of our teeth, gums, and overall oral health. This encompasses consistent brushing and flossing, regular dental examinations, professional cleanings, and addressing any dental concerns that emerge. These routines and interventions collectively contribute to a healthy mouth, preventing common dental problems and promoting optimal oral hygiene for individuals and families alike.

In the fast-evolving world of medicine, staying updated with the latest research trends is crucial for healthcare professionals and researchers alike. This helps ensure that patient care is based on the best available evidence and keeps professionals at the forefront of innovations and advancements. Here are six essential tips on how to stay informed about the latest medical research trends. 1. Utilize Trusted Sources The vast amount of information available online can be overwhelming, making it essential to discern credible sources from unreliable ones. Here are some strategies to help: Identify Reputable Journals and Databases: Publications like The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and JAMA are renowned for their rigorous peer-review processes. Databases like PubMed and Google Scholar are also excellent for accessing a wide range of scientific papers. Check for Peer-Reviewed Articles: Peer review ensures that research has been evaluated by experts in the field, enhancing its credibility. Look for Author Credentials: Research conducted by established experts in the field is more likely to be trustworthy. Evaluate Institutional Affiliations: Research from reputable institutions and organizations often signifies high-quality work.

Thorrun Govind, a former chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has joined Brabners' regulatory & professional conduct team. With nearly a decade of experience as a GPhC-registered pharmacist, Govind will provide guidance on regulatory and professional conduct issues. Govind's expertise extends to healthcare advisory and disputes involving NHS Trusts and social care organisations. She has been recognised as the 'Young Pharmacist of the Year' by Pharmacy Business Magazine and is a frequent commentator on public health and healthcare law for major television networks. Her appointment underscores Brabners' commitment to offering top-tier legal services to the healthcare industry.

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Medical professionals all over the world say that mother should breastfeed a child until the age of two.

Medical professionals all over the world say that mother should breastfeed a child until the age of two.

It has, therefore, become very important for all types of businesses in all the sectors to leverage the technique of social media marketing to attract the millennials and genzers. This will not only increase the sales but help you build a chain of loyal customers.

Friendly advice is to seek professional help at the earliest after finding in yourself the initials signs of depression. As soon as one is diagnosed, we are on our way towards recovery. A diagnosis is the first step of the healing ladder. My immediate support took me to a therapist in my teens and later to a psychiatrist when things got out of control.

A seamless flow of money is crucial to a medical practice, and it all starts with these two health IT personnel: medical billers and coders. Let's read a bit about them.

Medical billing services hire both professionals to carry out an effective revenue cycle management process on behalf of healthcare providers. Theoretically speaking, both professions require the professionals to read, interpret, and comprehend Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and doctors' notes. Hence, their education in science is a must.

Maintaining the accuracy of claims is tough, especially, when you have to manage the bulk of data at the same time. Therefore, outsourcing billing services to professionals is the best choice to avoid billing inconvenience or financial complexity.

Maintaining the accuracy of claims is tough, especially, when you have to manage the bulk of data at the same time. Therefore, outsourcing billing services to professionals is the best choice to avoid billing inconvenience or financial complexity.

QPP MIPS participation is a great way to stabilize finances in the shaking economic industry. Many professionals have already started to plan and strategize on how to get maximum score in the end. Given in this article is a complete guide on MIPS 2020 eligibility status. Going through it will help in setting up goals for participation.

QPP MIPS participation is a great way to stabilize finances in the shaking economic industry. Many professionals have already started to plan and strategize on how to get the maximum score in the end.

Medical billing process relies on efficient medical billing and coding services. It is an intricate activity that requires a lot of concentration and precision.  Medical billers and coder need to be professional and capable enough of handling multitasking.