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Stopping Remote Supervision – what next? – Hospital Edition

The supervision arrangements in hospital pharmacy are different from those in community pharmacy and there are some very good reasons for this.

Fri 23rd July 2010 The PDA

However, when the government seeks to develop legislation to deliver a supervision model for pharmacy that is meant to fit all sectors of practice, then we have to say NO THANKS!

Many hospital pharmacists are aware of what happened when the RP regulations were imposed on their hospital (see p22).

Consequently, we say that the government’s remote supervision proposals need to be replaced by something that has been thought through properly and that has been developed by the profession instead.

Last winter, the PDA’s Stop Remote Supervision (SRS) campaign saw us back a group of RPSGB leadership election candidates. We thank all those pharmacists that supported our call to action as every one of those candidates was elected by a large margin.

Sadly, the launch of the new regulator, the GPhC has been delayed until September 2010, as a result the pharmacists that we all supported will not be able to take charge until then.

This is unfortunate, as the current council infamously chose not to back a call for the delay of the RP regulations in the summer of 2009 earning the mistrust of many members. Despite the fact that democracy has spoken, and pharmacists have made clear who they wish to be in control of their professional agenda, the current council has decided for its own reasons to cling onto power and through the RPSGB officers elections has not allowed any SRS candidates to take charge of the current RPSGB Council.

We feel that the current council continues to generate ill will amongst the profession. Despite these setbacks, we are pleased to see that the member supported candidates will not be deflected from their objectives.

We have already been contacted by Lindsey Gilpin, the English Pharmacy Board Chair and invited to participate in a pan-professional review of supervision. This review will need to understand that the custom and practice in hospital and community is very different, as are various environmental factors such as staffing levels and expertise. We expect to be working closely with the professional leadership body as soon as the new leaders take over; in the meantime, we will be supporting and playing our part in the interim programme described.

The Interim Programme

July 2010

  • PDA has already had early talks with the leadership of the new PLB and has been invited to take part in the panprofessional plan to resolve the Remote Supervision issue.
  • Membership surveys will be undertaken during July, so that the views of pharmacists and the evidence is gathered to support the campaign.

August 2010

  • Based on member feedback, a Supervision Strategy day involving representatives of several pharmacy organisations to be held with the aim of producing a practical review of the current supervision regulations – an alternative to the current government proposals.

September 2010

  • Initial ideas to be published for consultation within the profession. Opportunities for direct membership dialogue via an open forum at the British Pharmaceutical Conference and other pharmacy gatherings. Direct focus group meetings with pharmacists to be held in various locations.
  • Professional dialogue opened up using all available channels (e.g. internet, letters in the PJ, magazine features etc.) so as to gauge the support of the profession.
  • Initial draft of the professions view on changes to supervision produced.
  • Possible petition of the membership, if needed, so as to show the levels of support.

October 2010

  • A new supervision policy handed to the government andthe GPhC.

This outline plan has the support of the PDA, and we will be working in earnest to harness the views of PDA members. Watch out for our on-line surveys, petitions and focus group invitations.

We are determined to ensure that the policy on supervision is one that has been developed by the profession after a detailed consideration of how it is practiced in all of its different settings. Furthermore, whatever the result, we will never agree to a policy that allows employers to dictate what level of supervision is required, this must be a professional decision made by pharmacists in the interests of patients. If you want us to succeed then please be ready to offer your direct input and support when called for.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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