Having now completed my foundation year training, my career as a pharmacist is now at its conception. Nevertheless, the journey thus has been nothing short of insightful and has confirmed that this is the profession I desire to be in. I recently completed my foundation training with Day Lewis Pharmacy, which was a multi-sector placement consisting of nine months within community pharmacy and three months within general practice, at the Hartland Way Surgery. My role within community pharmacy includes dispensing (inclusive of controlled drugs and managing the register), providing flu vaccinations, patient counselling, participating in advanced pharmacy services provided by the pharmacy, as well as the newly launched pharmacy first.

During my time at the general practice, my responsibilities included reviewing patient discharge letters and making necessary adjustments. I conducted an audit and, under the supervision of my designated supervisor, participated in patient reviews during clinics, focusing on common conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. I also organised blood tests for patients on medications requiring monitoring, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, utilising the EMIS system and Portal Cerner.

No

I have chosen to register with The Locum Agency because of its strong reputation for matching healthcare professionals with quality placements that align with their skills and experience. The agency offers flexibility, allowing me to work in diverse clinical settings and gain a broader range of experiences, which I believe is crucial to broadening my knowledge as a pharmacist. Additionally, the support services, including access to training and professional development opportunities, are valuable resources that I also believe will aid me maintain high standards in patient care. The agency's commitment to providing a seamless and efficient experience for both locums and the organisations they serve also played a significant role in my decision.

During a vaccination weekday afternoon at the community pharmacy, there was an unexpected surge of customers, many with prescriptions, including several needing immediate attention due to time-sensitive medications. I quickly worked alongside the responsible pharmacist and assessed the situation, to prioritise the tasks at hand. First, I ensured that all urgent prescriptions were processed immediately, particularly those involving controlled substances and medications for chronic conditions, and also worked to delegate routine tasks, such as over-the-counter sales and simple queries, allowing for the focus to be on prescription verification and patient consultations. Despite the high pressure, we managed to serve all customers promptly, ensuring that those with urgent needs received their medications on time. The pharmacy operated smoothly, and customers appreciated the clear communication and the care they received. The situation was a valuable reminder of the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and staying calm under pressure.

My understanding of the Medicines Act 1968 is that it is a fundamental piece of legislation in the UK that governs the control, manufacture, distribution, and supply of medicines. The Act ensures that medicines are safe, effective, and of high quality for public use. This is inclusive of classification of medicines, manufacturing and licensing, and record keeping and accountability. In practice, the Medicines Act 1968 underpins much of the pharmacy profession, guiding our responsibilities in dispensing, advising, and managing medications, all to ensure patient safety and public health.

I would not initially proceed with prescribing or dispensing the medication. I would contact the prescriber directly to clarify the medication, dosage, and the intended treatment plan. This would be important to confirm that the medication is appropriate for the patient's condition and that no errors have been made. I would check the patient’s medication history, including any recent prescriptions, allergies, or contraindications. This helps to ensure that the medication aligns with their current treatment plan and medical history. If appropriate, I would speak with the patient to gather additional information about their medical history, current medications, and any recent changes in their treatment plan. After verifying the details, I would thoroughly document the communication with the prescriber, any patient interactions, and the rationale for the decision to prescribe or not prescribe the medication.

I would inform my line manager about the incident or complaint promptly, following the pharmacy's standard operating procedures (SOPs). I would document the incident or complaint in the appropriate reporting system, providing a clear, factual account of what occurred, including any relevant dates, times, and individuals involved. I would reflect on my actions and the circumstances leading up to the incident, considering whether any decisions or behaviours contributed to the situation and identify any areas where I could improve in. I would use the incident as a learning opportunity, incorporating the lessons learned into my daily practice to avoid future issues. If the incident involved a patient, I would ensure that they receive appropriate communication and support, including an apology, and information on any corrective measures taken.

I understand clinical governance to be a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care within the healthcare system. For a pharmacist, this involves a framework of accountability and responsibility designed to ensure that the services provided are safe, effective, and patient-centered. My understanding of this also includes medication safety, risk management, evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Primarily, clinical governance ensures that pharmacy services are delivered safely, effectively, and with the patient’s best interests at the forefront. It involves a commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability, with the ultimate goal of enhancing patient care and outcomes.

A patient’s relative came to the pharmacy concerned about the blister packs of medication they had received for their elderly parent. They noticed that one of the medications in the blister packs had not been added to the correct time slot. I first listened to the relative’s concerns and examined the blister packs they brought in and showed this to the responsible pharmacist at the time. We then reviewed the original prescription and the medication schedule to verify the correct dosing times and confirmed that there had been error. I apologised to the patient's representative and rectified the issue and explained that it is unlikely that that they would have experienced any side effects as the time of day did not affect how the medication worked. The patient's representative was glad that the issue was rectified promptly and this was logged as a near miss. The incident was used as a learning opportunity to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the blister pack preparation process, improving overall service quality and reducing the likelihood of similar issues occurring in the future.