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PHOENIX UK and the British Heart Foundation has joined hands for a charity partnership to continue the ongoing commitment of improving heart health across the UK. The PHOENIX team have set the donation goal of £20,000 by June 2023 and are set to take on a range of exciting challenges over the course of the next year, such as a Tough Mudder and the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, all in a bid to raise funds for the heart health charity. Nigel Swift, Managing Director of Rowlands, PHOENIX UK's largest community pharmacy member organisation, commented: "We are thrilled to be partnering with The British Heart Foundation. Its lifesaving research perfectly aligns with our mission across PHOENIX UK - to enable more people to live happy and healthy lives - and so we look forward to raising vital funds and supporting the excellent work of the charity." Hayley Gough, Community Relationship Manager at The British Heart Foundation, added, "It's fantastic to see the team at PHOENIX UK commit to raising so much money for The British Heart Foundation. We can't wait to see all that they achieve and are so grateful for their fundraising efforts."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DSHC) has launched a consultation to seek views on changes to pharmacy supervision, which is being considered as part of the Primary Care Recovery Plan. Plans set out in the consultation include making better use of pharmacies, improving access to primary care and maximising the contribution of pharmacy professionals across healthcare. In the consultation, the DSHC has set out proposals to amend the Medicines Act 1968 and The Human Medicines Regulations 2012. The proposals aim to allow pharmacists to authorise registered pharmacy technicians to carry out the preparation, assembly, dispensing, sale and supply of pharmacy and prescription only medicines in their absence. Currently, these services can only be carried out by, or under the supervision of, a pharmacist.

Pharmacists with 'relevant experience in a pharmacy setting' can enroll for accredited independent prescribing course, as the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has decided to scrap the requirement of spending at least two years on the register and having previous experience in a specified clinical or therapeutic area before enrolling for the course. The GPhC Council meeting held on Thursday instead proposed that applicants must have "relevant experience in a pharmacy setting and be able to recognise, understand and articulate the skills and attributes required by a prescriber." This experience and awareness will act as the basis of their prescribing practice whilst training. The regulator noted that the majority of stakeholder organisations, including the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the statutory education bodies, were in favour of removing the requirement in a consultation on the topic. They highlighted that a specific two-year period was not in itself a robust indication of whether an individual was ready to become a prescriber. They also highlighted that the rapidly developing roles in the profession meant more pharmacists were likely to gain the necessary experience more quickly than in the past. A smaller number of organisations and a larger minority of individuals were opposed, citing that a specific two-year period gave pharmacists the time they needed to develop experience and confidence before being ready to enrol on a course.

Numark is set to launch a large-scale broadcast campaign to promote its Hey Pharmacist repeat prescription service on May 22. The new campaign introduces, 'Repeat prescriptions. Made simple,' with a set of three TV adverts that feature three different heightened-reality scenarios. In each advert, the hero discovers they have forgotten to order their repeat prescription at a less than ideal time but thanks to Hey Pharmacist, a few taps later their problems are solved. The adverts highlight how managing your repeat prescriptions has never been quicker or simpler in a tongue-in-cheek, comedic tone. The campaign - which incorporates national broadcast and SkyAdSmart TV alongside digital, social, and in-store campaigns across England - promotes the Hey Pharmacist app which provides Numark members in England with an end-to-end online repeat prescription proposition, helping them deliver a best-in-class digital capability which highlights the benefits for patients who choose to collect their medication from their local Numark pharmacy. Jeremy Meader, managing director of Numark, commented: "It is very exciting to see our first TV campaign go live. The creative does a brilliant job in bringing to life the benefits of Hey Pharmacist, highlighting how easy and effortless managing prescriptions can be. We look forward to assisting more everyday heroes and supporting our members in showcasing this exciting digital proposition to a larger audience."

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has called for comments and views on the recently launched consultation on selecting the appropriate mode of consultation when assessing a person's needs by pharmacy professionals including pharmacist prescribers. The guidance note sets out what the pharmacy professional or prescriber, in agreement with the patient, needs to consider when selecting the mode of consultation - such as face-to-face; video-link, video-chat, or other online platforms; telephone and online questionnaires - best suited to gaining the information needed to deliver safe and effective pharmacy care. The principles outlined in the guidance apply to consultations undertaken in all pharmacy settings, including those undertaken by online pharmacy services providers. "Our plan is to include the contents of this guidance note in the document: 'In practice: Guidance for pharmacist prescribers' when we undertake our next review," said the regulator.

Are you looking to start a career in the medical field but don't know where to begin? There are many different paths to choose from when it comes to entering the medical profession. It can be daunting trying to figure out which one is right for you. But with some research, planning, and dedication, you can find your way into this rewarding and fulfilling industry. Here are 8 tips that will help get you started on your journey toward becoming a successful healthcare professional. 1. ONLINE PROGRAMS If you have already decided on a career path and need to obtain additional qualifications or knowledge, there are many online programs available for medical professionals. These courses provide students with the opportunity to learn from home and gain experience in their chosen field without sacrificing the quality of education. You can find an online medical assistant programs, medical biller and coding programs, lab technician training, and more. It's important to research each program and make sure it's accredited before enrolling. While online programs may not offer the same hands-on experience as a traditional school, they can be an affordable and convenient way to get your foot in the door. 2. VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING IN A CLINICAL SETTING Volunteering or working part-time in a clinical setting is an excellent way to gain experience and decide if the medicine is the right profession for you. Even volunteer work can provide invaluable insight into how the medical field works, allowing you to network with professionals, observe procedures and treatment methods, and develop skills from patient interaction. Additionally, any volunteer work or job experience related to healthcare that appears on your resume establishes you as a serious candidate for a career in medicine. While you are likely to find many volunteer opportunities, be sure to do your research and only take positions in reputable organizations.

Two pharmacies in Rotherham are set to merge into one, if plans are approved by NHS England. Weldricks Pharmacy has applied to merge its two Swinton branches, on Church Street and the Crown Street Surgery. If approved, the branch on Church Street will be modernised, and additional consulting rooms will be added, while the Crown Street site will be closed. Rotherham Met Borough Council's health and wellbeing board are set to make a representation supporting the plans, and say that analysis by public health "outlines the very minimal impact that this change will have in terms of pharmacy access in the borough based on the service offer, opening hours and walking times to this branch and the main pharmacy." They say the current opening hours will remain the same, and there will be no disruption to services during the consolidation. A statement from Weldricks adds that the decision to merge is down to funding cuts, and the company could go out of business if operating costs are not reduced - 'despite having been a local, family-owned business for almost 100 years'.

The UK government's community diagnostic centre programme, which was first launch in July 2021, is helping cut waiting lists, and speed up diagnoses and treatments for NHS patients. As of November 2023, a total of 6.1 million vital checks have been carried out at community diagnostic centres (CDCs) across England, according to a joint statement released by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England. Under the £2.3 billion programme, 141 CDCs have been opened across the country in a variety of settings including shopping centres, university campuses and football stadiums, offering patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home. The government has set a target to open 160 CDCs by March 2025, with many expected to open ahead of schedule.

Online vape store GoSmokeFree analysed data from NHS Stop Smoking Service in England from April to September 2023 to determine the number of individuals in each of the nine UK regions who reported successfully quitting smoking after setting a quit date. The findings showed that the South East has the highest number of successful quitters, with 1,226 smokers per 100,000 reporting to have given it up. The Isle of Wight is the most successful area to quit smoking in the South East with 3,124 people quitting per 100,000 smokers. Of the 4,294 individuals who set a quit date in this region, 803 admitted to not being able to achieve their target. A spokesperson from the online retailer noted that overcoming nicotine withdrawals and mental challenges can be exceptionally difficult when attempting to quit smoking.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has introduced a new comprehensive learning programme to support pharmacists in Wales to deliver the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS). Developed in collaboration with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the programme is designed to "equip pharmacists with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to provide excellent patient care." While the primary emphasis is on pharmacists operating within primary care settings, those from various practice settings are also encouraged to register and participate in the programme. Commenting on the collaboration with HEIW, Elen Jones, director for Wales at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that it will empower pharmacists across the country to deliver high-quality prescribing services to local communities.

National Health Services (NHS) patients across England are set to experience a significant enhancement in accessing key healthcare services such as community nursing through the expansion of self-referral options that no longer require a GP appointment. The recent announcement is part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan and is set to offer hundreds of thousands more individuals each month the opportunity to refer themselves for essential services such as "incontinence support", "podiatry", or "hearing tests" without GP referrals. This move aims to alleviate the burden on general practitioners through self-referrals for more than 180,000 patients, allowing them to focus their time and resources on patients in need of immediate care and recover the long waiting times. As per the NHS data, approximately 200,000 people per month self-refer themselves which under the new plan will extend to additional critical services tailored to local population needs to "continue modernising GP, expand pharmacy services, and offer patients more choice in how they access care".

The government's 200 million dental recovery plan has come under fierce criticism from the opposition party after health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom admitted that there is a "high likelihood" that it will not deliver 2.5 million dental appointments. Published last month, the plan is aimed at ensuring easier and faster access to NHS dental care across England, with up to 1.5 million extra treatments expected to be delivered over the next 12 months. Various new measures were set out to attract new dentists, including increasing dental training places by up to 40 per cent by 2032, as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. On Tuesday, Leadsom told MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee that the figure was based on NHS modelling of a "complicated set of factors" and there is "quite a high likelihood of not being reliable as is the case with all modelling." Preeti Kaur Gill MP, shadow minister for primary care and public health, expressed shock over the admission by the public health minister that there is uncertainty regarding the plan's ability to deliver on its promises, which she said: "shows the Conservatives are out of ideas and out of time."

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.

In a collaborative effort, the National Health Services England (NHSE) is set to deliver the RSV(respiratory syncytial virus) vaccination programme where pharmacists alongside other healthcare professionals will play a crucial role in administering the vaccine. The UK Health Security Agency has announced the launch of the new vaccination programme targeting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), set to begin on 1 September 2024. Along with GPs, NHS England (NHSE) will "commission a number of community pharmacies to deliver the programme", ensuring broad accessibility and coverage to protect two high-risk groups: older adults and pregnant women. RSV is an RNA virus related to mumps, measles, and human parainfluenza viruses. It commonly causes coughs and colds in winter, transmitted through droplets and secretions from close contact with infected individuals. While most RSV infections are mild, infants under six months and the elderly are particularly susceptible to severe diseases like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which can lead to hospitalisation.

Addressing the recent announcement made by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to claw back £9 million per month from community pharmacy contractors, the Chairman of Numark, Harry McQuillan has expressed deep concerns over the financial implications on the sector. The claw back follows an error in the July calculations of Category M medicine prices, which led to increase in the reimbursements made to community pharmacies. Beginning August, the DHSC is set to claw back the amount. McQuillan criticised the decision, highlighting the severe strain it places on already financially vulnerable community pharmacies. Calling it "a severe blow to an already financially strained sector", McQuillan emphasised that the additional burden has the potential to threaten the viability of many pharmacies. "Community pharmacies are the frontline of our healthcare system, by penalising these pharmacies for an error not of their making, the Department of Health is jeopardising the foundation of local healthcare delivery," McQuillan criticised. Addressing the recent announcement made by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to claw back £9 million per month from community pharmacy contractors, the Chairman of Numark, Harry McQuillan has expressed deep concerns over the financial implications on the sector. The claw back follows an error in the July calculations of Category M medicine prices, which led to increase in the reimbursements made to community pharmacies. Beginning August, the DHSC is set to claw back the amount. McQuillan criticised the decision, highlighting the severe strain it places on already financially vulnerable community pharmacies. Calling it "a severe blow to an already financially strained sector", McQuillan emphasised that the additional burden has the potential to threaten the viability of many pharmacies. "Community pharmacies are the frontline of our healthcare system, by penalising these pharmacies for an error not of thei

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a new diagnostic guidance to enhance CYP2C19 genotype testing to guide clopidogrel use for patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Published in July, the diagnostic guidance also emphasised the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacies in the implementation of CYP2C19 genotype testing used to guide prescribed antiplatelet medication. According to the NICE guidance, pharmacists with their expertise in pharmacogenomics and patient medication management, will be integral in interpreting test results and recommending appropriate antiplatelet therapy. It also highlighted the need for close collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure effective implementation across various care settings for stroke patients. The diagnostics advisory committee, a standing advisory committee of NICE, agreed that it should be possible to gather samples for genotype testing at a location that is convenient for the person having the test and highlighted the role of pharmacies as accessible locations for CYP2C19 genotype testing.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a new diagnostic guidance to enhance CYP2C19 genotype testing to guide clopidogrel use for patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Published in July, the diagnostic guidance also emphasised the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacies in the implementation of CYP2C19 genotype testing used to guide prescribed antiplatelet medication. According to the NICE guidance, pharmacists with their expertise in pharmacogenomics and patient medication management, will be integral in interpreting test results and recommending appropriate antiplatelet therapy. It also highlighted the need for close collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure effective implementation across various care settings for stroke patients. The d

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Bristol-based Titan PMR, a technology firm specialising in PMR systems for community pharmacies, is set to roll out an innovative platform named 'Titanverse,' that it claims will redefine pharmacy management, offering comprehensive solutions extending beyond prescription management. This new platform takes a versatile approach, efficiently managing all facets of pharmacy operations, from high-level management down to daily tasks, according to top company officials. "Our aim is to reshape pharmacies into genuine health hubs, providing advanced services and harnessing state-of-the-art technologies," said Tariq Muhammad, CEO of Titan PMR. "Titanverse, our latest offering, is positioned to ignite this transformation, revolutionising clinical services in the same way its predecessor revolutionised dispensing. With Titanverse, we have the vehicle to drive this vision forward, placing pharmacies at the forefront of primary care in the future." Titanverse adopts a Teams approach, catering to pharmacies with multiple locations or specific focuses. It furnishes real-time analytics and employs a color-coded rating system for swift performance evaluation. Moreover, the platform eases operations by enabling task delegation, encompassing clinical checks and dispensing, all while backing private services with adaptable templates and workflows.

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has initiated the process for the regional representative election for the North-East and Cumbria region after Mark Burdon's resignation from the committee earlier this year. The North-East and Cumbria region covers Community Pharmacy County Durham, Community Pharmacy Cumbria, Gateshead and South Tyneside LPC, North of Tyne LPC, Sunderland LPC and Tees LPC. PSNC said that Pharmacists who are independent chemists and members or officers of these LPCs are eligible to stand for election as a new regional representative. "An independent chemist is defined in the PSNC constitution as a chemist operating retail pharmacy businesses' from no more than nine premises in England from which NHS Pharmaceutical Services or Local Pharmaceutical Services are provided and a person who is not a member of the Association of Independent Multiple pharmacies (AIMp)," said PSNC. The following PSNC briefing sets out the election process and the actions required by those seeking to stand for election.

Working towards its five-year strategy, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has put some plan in place to change its existing structure at the executive level, which could potentially render some senior positions redundant. Though the process is in nascent stage, "two roles have been identified at potential risk of redundancy," RPS said in a statement on Thursday (March 3) afternoon, adding: "This is very much at proposal stage and no final decisions or outcomes have been reached."0 It didn't specify which two roles were going to be axed, saying: "We are unable to go into the specifics of the process for individuals due to its confidential nature, but we will of course go through a fair, reasonable and confidential consultation process and are supporting the individuals involved. "No one should be in any doubt that our commitment to education and the profession's development remains the highest priority for us, and equally support for our members, thought leadership and advocacy are core to what we do as a professional leadership body."