"Not here the darkness, in this twittering world.
Descend lower, descend only
Into the world of perpetual solitude"
Not my words, you understand, those of T. S. Eliot who was obviously onto something. If twittering ws good enough for Eliot, I suppose it's good enough for me. Don't think he would have settled for 140 characterrs, though.
The full text is from a quartet of poems, "Burnt Norton". Something to make you stop and think though I don't think it will class as CPD but......
Friday, 2 July 2010
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Shooting ourselves in both feet.
So, there we have it. The first salvos that tell us we're in for our own winter of discontent. The propoganda war starts today. Not that Pharmacists will (or should) go on strike, and yes, despite a typo error on my Profile on our "new project", as I'm not 31 years old and was 18 in the year Thatcher came to power, I do remember the original "winter of discontent" and Britain being the "sick man of Europe). Happy days!
The news that GP's are likely to see their pay cut by a quarter can only be bad news for pharmacy.
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=4126456&cid=Latest_headlines_1_010710
It's a line in the sand that multiples in particular will clutch and hold on to for grim death, noting that despite the "recession" (aka "a time when people don't buy what they don't need") one of them has posted third year double digit profits. Times must be tough!
We have been advised that one of them is cutting a pound an hour off all locum rates in mid-September, or a 4.54% pay cut BEFORE inflation and IGNORING the 6% year on year prescription volume increase they are likely to get just by organic growth, ignoring again self generated growth (if they have any). So, 6% more work for you for 4.54% LESS pay. Doesn't seem fair, does it? But we're all having to share the pain, aren't we, I hear you say. Not really, we say. Double digit growth means more than 10 %, so somewhere, someone doesn't understand percentages. It could be worse, we could do it in fractions. Ah! I hear you sigh. So what's the answer?
We've said it before and we'll say it again. Vene, Vedi, Vici.
I said we'd been around for a long time. I came, I saw, I conquered. But who thought of Divide and rule? Works every time.
We have terms and conditions, like everyone else. It doesn't matter if some pharmacists break them, does it? Book direct through us and don't tell the agency, and you'll be better off, trust me! Nudge nudge, wink wink. And you're better off! Miraculous! Whilst it lasts, then the calls dry up, then you've no work, then they say, "Tell you what, seeing it's you, we'll do you a favour". You breathe a sigh of relief, before choking at what comes next. "We've had to drop the rates though, you understand, there's a recession on" You fall silent. "Of course, if you don't want it, we've got locums and other agencies queuing up for it...". Then, finally ,despite everything we've told you, you finally realise the truth. You've been mugged. Take a couple of pounds an hour pay cut or get no work. No brainer. Not really - the no-brainer was not listening to our years of experience.
Still, no one died. True, but that's only because pharmacists in the main don't have guns. Human beings normally shoot themselves in the foot. I must have missed those sessions at Uni which taught the rest of my colleagues how to use a gun, since too many are superb when it comes to shooting ourselves in both feet.
In case anyone reading this masitakes these observations for bitterness, forget it. We've been around for over 16 years doing this, and we know how it works, so bitterness was overcome by reality many years ago. Frustration, though, that it always seems to end this way? You could be onto something there. Answer? In the name of everything that is Holy, do not give Pharmacists guns, or we've all had it!
The news that GP's are likely to see their pay cut by a quarter can only be bad news for pharmacy.
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=4126456&cid=Latest_headlines_1_010710
It's a line in the sand that multiples in particular will clutch and hold on to for grim death, noting that despite the "recession" (aka "a time when people don't buy what they don't need") one of them has posted third year double digit profits. Times must be tough!
We have been advised that one of them is cutting a pound an hour off all locum rates in mid-September, or a 4.54% pay cut BEFORE inflation and IGNORING the 6% year on year prescription volume increase they are likely to get just by organic growth, ignoring again self generated growth (if they have any). So, 6% more work for you for 4.54% LESS pay. Doesn't seem fair, does it? But we're all having to share the pain, aren't we, I hear you say. Not really, we say. Double digit growth means more than 10 %, so somewhere, someone doesn't understand percentages. It could be worse, we could do it in fractions. Ah! I hear you sigh. So what's the answer?
We've said it before and we'll say it again. Vene, Vedi, Vici.
I said we'd been around for a long time. I came, I saw, I conquered. But who thought of Divide and rule? Works every time.
We have terms and conditions, like everyone else. It doesn't matter if some pharmacists break them, does it? Book direct through us and don't tell the agency, and you'll be better off, trust me! Nudge nudge, wink wink. And you're better off! Miraculous! Whilst it lasts, then the calls dry up, then you've no work, then they say, "Tell you what, seeing it's you, we'll do you a favour". You breathe a sigh of relief, before choking at what comes next. "We've had to drop the rates though, you understand, there's a recession on" You fall silent. "Of course, if you don't want it, we've got locums and other agencies queuing up for it...". Then, finally ,despite everything we've told you, you finally realise the truth. You've been mugged. Take a couple of pounds an hour pay cut or get no work. No brainer. Not really - the no-brainer was not listening to our years of experience.
Still, no one died. True, but that's only because pharmacists in the main don't have guns. Human beings normally shoot themselves in the foot. I must have missed those sessions at Uni which taught the rest of my colleagues how to use a gun, since too many are superb when it comes to shooting ourselves in both feet.
In case anyone reading this masitakes these observations for bitterness, forget it. We've been around for over 16 years doing this, and we know how it works, so bitterness was overcome by reality many years ago. Frustration, though, that it always seems to end this way? You could be onto something there. Answer? In the name of everything that is Holy, do not give Pharmacists guns, or we've all had it!
They don't like it up@em!
..as Corporal Jones would say.
It appears that some of our Members of Parliament don't like their new expenses system. Apparently, they have to pay for their expenses up front, keep receipts, then try to claim their expenses back and it's simply not on, according to M.P.'s.
So, let's consider this for a moment. M.P.'s, who are paid by us, who raise money through taxes on us which we pay by having to submit details of income and expenses via Her Majestys Revenue and Customs, don't like the fact that they (like us) have to pay for expenses they incur in respect of their work, and have to claim the money back. At least they get it back! How much does your accountant allow through on the basis that "the Revenue don't like that"?
Then there's the issue that some of have to contend with, VAT returns, tax returns, PAYE/NIC records and payments, SSP/SMP/SPP, which are usually done outside of work hours, aka Sunday.
At least our hard pressed M.P.'s have an army of people to help them -77 in total, managing the claims of 600 or so M.P.'s. We have to pay our accountants, they aren't provided to us like the M.P.S's get.
Maybe they can find time to pass less stupid laws in the next few years, as they'll be too busy to work in Paliament for having to reclaim the second home allowance! Whilst they're at it, maybe they could repeal a few laws or bring them into line with others.
Let's start here - if an M.P. makes a mistake, they should face a jail sentence, with maybe a warning only if they make a single mistake. That would bring them into line with us Pharmacists, who can be jailed for a dispensing error.
Alternatively, they could change the law to stop us being prosecuted for a mistake. Maybe we would all sleep a little better then. What has the New Professional Body got to say about this idea? Have they raised this matter with our M.P.'s?
We're waiting.........
It appears that some of our Members of Parliament don't like their new expenses system. Apparently, they have to pay for their expenses up front, keep receipts, then try to claim their expenses back and it's simply not on, according to M.P.'s.
So, let's consider this for a moment. M.P.'s, who are paid by us, who raise money through taxes on us which we pay by having to submit details of income and expenses via Her Majestys Revenue and Customs, don't like the fact that they (like us) have to pay for expenses they incur in respect of their work, and have to claim the money back. At least they get it back! How much does your accountant allow through on the basis that "the Revenue don't like that"?
Then there's the issue that some of have to contend with, VAT returns, tax returns, PAYE/NIC records and payments, SSP/SMP/SPP, which are usually done outside of work hours, aka Sunday.
At least our hard pressed M.P.'s have an army of people to help them -77 in total, managing the claims of 600 or so M.P.'s. We have to pay our accountants, they aren't provided to us like the M.P.S's get.
Maybe they can find time to pass less stupid laws in the next few years, as they'll be too busy to work in Paliament for having to reclaim the second home allowance! Whilst they're at it, maybe they could repeal a few laws or bring them into line with others.
Let's start here - if an M.P. makes a mistake, they should face a jail sentence, with maybe a warning only if they make a single mistake. That would bring them into line with us Pharmacists, who can be jailed for a dispensing error.
Alternatively, they could change the law to stop us being prosecuted for a mistake. Maybe we would all sleep a little better then. What has the New Professional Body got to say about this idea? Have they raised this matter with our M.P.'s?
We're waiting.........
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
I've seen the future and I don't like it!
According to Pulse Today, GPs legal representatives are very concerned about changes to GP fitness to practice hearings being fast tracked. There is a new body replacing the GMC body which fomerly handled such cases and there are concerns that GP's may not be properly represented in such circumstances.
There is a chilling parallel to our own situation here - nobody sets out to be incompetent or inadequate, surely. But the question I am increasingly being asked by colleagues, whether locums, managers, pharmacy owners, is "is there something that we keep me as comfortable as my present income does, because it's becoming a real worry that just doing our jobs could lead us into trouble?"
Follow the link to the article below and see what I mean. Surely, if GPs are worried now, as well as pharmacists, where are the people going to come from to continue operating our professions and the services which we provide in good faith, if we are too frightened to act. So much for a Code of Ethics. We seem damned if we do and damned if we don't.
In the perscution of so called "witches" in the 1600s, witchfinders stated that "good" witches (those who used herbs to cure ailments, or called charms to resolve a worry) were more evil than "bad" witches, (those who used their "powers and skills" for malevolent purposes), and thus the "good" witches deserved greater perscution that the "bad" witches.
That was 400 years ago. What it must be like to live in "enlightened times"!
Fears over introduction of 'fast-track' GP fitness to practise hearings
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=4126443&encCode=7546292312BC559139429JTBS737226611
There is a chilling parallel to our own situation here - nobody sets out to be incompetent or inadequate, surely. But the question I am increasingly being asked by colleagues, whether locums, managers, pharmacy owners, is "is there something that we keep me as comfortable as my present income does, because it's becoming a real worry that just doing our jobs could lead us into trouble?"
Follow the link to the article below and see what I mean. Surely, if GPs are worried now, as well as pharmacists, where are the people going to come from to continue operating our professions and the services which we provide in good faith, if we are too frightened to act. So much for a Code of Ethics. We seem damned if we do and damned if we don't.
In the perscution of so called "witches" in the 1600s, witchfinders stated that "good" witches (those who used herbs to cure ailments, or called charms to resolve a worry) were more evil than "bad" witches, (those who used their "powers and skills" for malevolent purposes), and thus the "good" witches deserved greater perscution that the "bad" witches.
That was 400 years ago. What it must be like to live in "enlightened times"!
Fears over introduction of 'fast-track' GP fitness to practise hearings
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=4126443&encCode=7546292312BC559139429JTBS737226611
Friday, 18 June 2010
RESPONSIBLE PHARMACIST NOTICE - it'a free.
Yes folks it's true!
We know things appear to have been quiet this past moth or two, but in the background we've been working on the web site and a number of new features are ready or nearly ready.
Weve started with some simple and basic things and yes, they're free!
Have you got to a pharmacy to discover you've forgotten your Responsible Pharmacist Notice, or got home and realised you've left it at the pharmacy you've just been working at and won't be due there again for a while?
We all know we have to display the notice, or we are committing a criminal offence, so what do you do (apart from panic and hope the Inspector doesn't call today)?
It's easy!! Go to our web site www.locumpharmacistuk.com and click on the link to downloads and hey-presto, caramba, golly! You can enter your details and print off a Responsible Pharmacist Notice for the day, or whenever you need one.
Other handy downloads are a Locum Invoice if you need to submit your claim and have not got one available or have left yours at home, as well as your Responsible Pharmacist Notice.
There's a Duty Pharmacist Report template too - much better than leaving a load of Post-its, and you can take a copy of what you have put on your report in case you need to refer to it later.
What's that you say? You can't download these files? Well our clever IT Web Monkey has added a FREE Adobe Reader download to solve that problem too! So there you are, useful, practical tools to offer sensible solutions to the day to dat crises we all face on occasion.
Simples!
Check these out but don't forget to keep checking back, as we will gradually be releasing improved versions of the site with new features including your own Private Page, which will allow access to a range of additional features, from your on-line diary, accounts management and a whole lot more.
We know things appear to have been quiet this past moth or two, but in the background we've been working on the web site and a number of new features are ready or nearly ready.
Weve started with some simple and basic things and yes, they're free!
Have you got to a pharmacy to discover you've forgotten your Responsible Pharmacist Notice, or got home and realised you've left it at the pharmacy you've just been working at and won't be due there again for a while?
We all know we have to display the notice, or we are committing a criminal offence, so what do you do (apart from panic and hope the Inspector doesn't call today)?
It's easy!! Go to our web site www.locumpharmacistuk.com and click on the link to downloads and hey-presto, caramba, golly! You can enter your details and print off a Responsible Pharmacist Notice for the day, or whenever you need one.
Other handy downloads are a Locum Invoice if you need to submit your claim and have not got one available or have left yours at home, as well as your Responsible Pharmacist Notice.
There's a Duty Pharmacist Report template too - much better than leaving a load of Post-its, and you can take a copy of what you have put on your report in case you need to refer to it later.
What's that you say? You can't download these files? Well our clever IT Web Monkey has added a FREE Adobe Reader download to solve that problem too! So there you are, useful, practical tools to offer sensible solutions to the day to dat crises we all face on occasion.
Simples!
Check these out but don't forget to keep checking back, as we will gradually be releasing improved versions of the site with new features including your own Private Page, which will allow access to a range of additional features, from your on-line diary, accounts management and a whole lot more.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
What to do when the roof caves in?
Just when we think spring's on the way, it decides to rain and rain and rain. Then it got through the ceiling of the office above and eventually it comes through our ceiling and the ceiling collapses on us!
Having cleaned off the wet plaster and dusted down the keyboards, we've had to make a temporary relocation to try to manage. The main telephone line of 01482 - 863172 remains operational - if anyone has previously used any of our extension numbers (475195, 475196 etc), these will not work for much longer, so please continue to use the main number.
E-mail and text services remain intact, but for a couple of weeks, speeds might be slower than usual, so please bear with us. A new Post Office Box (P.O. Box) number will be soon used for correspondence and we will announce any other changes via the web site as they occur.
Thanks to the person who offered us the use of their delapidated barn! We're very touched.
Further news on it's way as and when we know it.
Linda and Stephen
Having cleaned off the wet plaster and dusted down the keyboards, we've had to make a temporary relocation to try to manage. The main telephone line of 01482 - 863172 remains operational - if anyone has previously used any of our extension numbers (475195, 475196 etc), these will not work for much longer, so please continue to use the main number.
E-mail and text services remain intact, but for a couple of weeks, speeds might be slower than usual, so please bear with us. A new Post Office Box (P.O. Box) number will be soon used for correspondence and we will announce any other changes via the web site as they occur.
Thanks to the person who offered us the use of their delapidated barn! We're very touched.
Further news on it's way as and when we know it.
Linda and Stephen
Thursday, 11 March 2010
ARE WE THERE YET?
Changing things for the better and making improvements are usually best described as being a "process" rather than an "event".
When we decided, eighteen months ago to completetly change our way of working and to create an interactive web site for locums and clients to use, we had no idea how much of a job we were letting ourselves in for.
To have reached the point where we are at today, which is not yet near finishing what we started, our simple idea has taken on a life of it's own and reached a dizzying level of complexity.
We've often said that when something works well and easily, it's because a lot of hard work has gone ito making it look easy. If anyone would have asked us 18 months back, did we expect to be getting 60 000 hits on the web site every month, we'd have thought that they were mad. What's more surprising now, looking back, is that 60 000 plus hits a month and rising steadily has not caused the whole thing to crash! If you wonder what I mean, 60 000 hits means there have been 60 000 occasions in a month when people have looked at our web site.
That's a lot of looks, for something that is still under development and has so much more yet to be added! Still, even now, locums can log in and add their own availability to increase their chances of picking up work, check out enquiries for work in their area on any given day and even be able to e-mail into us from the web site about any vacancy which interests them.
With the best yet to come, it will be interesting to see what other interest is attracted. Advertising will certainly follow, and before long we hope to have the "Private Members Area" up and running, where registered users will be able to log in and access a much wider range of features and services.
If there is anything you would like to see on there, please get in touch and keep us informed. It may be that advice on accountancy would be helpful, or maybe educational features. What about a "Swap shop" where you can exchange goods or unwanted items, or for excess stock from your pharmacy to be turned to profitable use by exchanging with another pharmacy? All ideas are up for consideration, so why not let us know what you think would be good? With so many people coming to the site now, there must be a lot of scope for us to offer you what you want or need.
It's not often you get something for nothing in this life, is it?
When we decided, eighteen months ago to completetly change our way of working and to create an interactive web site for locums and clients to use, we had no idea how much of a job we were letting ourselves in for.
To have reached the point where we are at today, which is not yet near finishing what we started, our simple idea has taken on a life of it's own and reached a dizzying level of complexity.
We've often said that when something works well and easily, it's because a lot of hard work has gone ito making it look easy. If anyone would have asked us 18 months back, did we expect to be getting 60 000 hits on the web site every month, we'd have thought that they were mad. What's more surprising now, looking back, is that 60 000 plus hits a month and rising steadily has not caused the whole thing to crash! If you wonder what I mean, 60 000 hits means there have been 60 000 occasions in a month when people have looked at our web site.
That's a lot of looks, for something that is still under development and has so much more yet to be added! Still, even now, locums can log in and add their own availability to increase their chances of picking up work, check out enquiries for work in their area on any given day and even be able to e-mail into us from the web site about any vacancy which interests them.
With the best yet to come, it will be interesting to see what other interest is attracted. Advertising will certainly follow, and before long we hope to have the "Private Members Area" up and running, where registered users will be able to log in and access a much wider range of features and services.
If there is anything you would like to see on there, please get in touch and keep us informed. It may be that advice on accountancy would be helpful, or maybe educational features. What about a "Swap shop" where you can exchange goods or unwanted items, or for excess stock from your pharmacy to be turned to profitable use by exchanging with another pharmacy? All ideas are up for consideration, so why not let us know what you think would be good? With so many people coming to the site now, there must be a lot of scope for us to offer you what you want or need.
It's not often you get something for nothing in this life, is it?
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