I am an independent prescriber and Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacist based in Solihull, West Midlands, I have been in this role for 30 months. My role includes being the Medicine Management Lead, managing clinical letters, and conducting long-term condition (LTC) clinics. I am also part of the Respiratory multidisciplinary team (MDT), where we meet fortnightly to discuss complicated respiratory patient cases and how we can manage them better. I run blood pressure clinics and structured medication review (SMR) clinics twice a week, for medication optimisation via shared decision-making, this includes care home patients.
Overcoming obstacles in my role
A previous obstacle in my role was the lack of access for community pharmacies to the practice. This was overcome by providing my NHS email address to ensure prompt resolution to queries and help better communication. Another obstacle was the lack of understanding of my role and what my limitations were, especially with the non-clinical team. This was overcome by working with the non-clinical team to ensure their queries were managed either by myself or the on-call GP. I have fortnightly MDT meetings with the PCN to discuss my role, my progression, and any obstacles. This has made me feel supported and appreciated.
Being a PDA member and a PDA Rep
Being a PDA member has been invaluable for me. It has given me the confidence and the support to ensure I get my fair rights in my professional life. I have utilised them in my role to ensure I have the correct indemnity insurance to cover my work. Moreover, I have used them to help me with my contracts and support at times when I am unsure of how to proceed in matters. My employers are aware I am part of a union and we have agreed that I will always check with the PDA on any matters I am unsure about for reassurance.
By being a PDA Rep for my fellow primary care pharmacists I can be their voice and discuss their problems and solutions at the PDA’s Regional Committee meetings. I also advise on how being part of a union and having separate indemnity insurance to employers works in pharmacists’ favour, should a conflict of interest occur. The PDA Rep role allows me to reassure pharmacists that they are not the only ones experiencing certain issues and to what solutions or steps the PDA has taken, to support members in their roles.
By Neera Goel, PDA Rep, PDA West and Wales Committee member, and Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacist
Neera Goel is a member of the PDA West and Wales Committee and a PDA Rep in a GP practice in Birmingham. Pharmacists who are involved in primary care and want to share their experiences or become a PDA Rep can do so by contacting Liz.Larkin@pda-union.org or by clicking here.
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