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
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
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?
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Post code rationing - what's smart about smart cards?
So the endless frustration with commissioners of health care goes on, especially for pharmacy. A quick interogation of our database shows that on average, a locum pharmacist will work across ten PCT areas over a period of time, many of whom have come up with "local" schemes for EHC or Minor Ailments. The vast majority of locums, like their permanently employed colleagues, want to provide a full range of services wherever they work.
I may live a sheltered existence, but how is unprotected sex which requires EHC any different from one part of the country to another. We had some meetings in London this week and came away frustrated at the inflexibility of different PCTs to recognise a basic or "core" accreditation for EHC, with local variations built in e.g. some will provide the service via pharmacies only to under 19 year olds, others include condom supply, still others are providing material to "demonstrate" to youngsters how to put a condom on to a model of the "real thing" (I'm being as tactful as I can, if anyone dosen't know what I mean, please e-mail and I'll clarify in a more broad minded description; e-mail details on the main site).
I digress at this point. Back on message. Why on earth do we, allegedly well trained, motivated, professionals, who continually update our skills and expertise. The bulk of the questioning and advice and responses we go through are the same from one place to another, some minor local variations on procedure are not beyond our wit to recognise these. Perhaps we sign a fax and send it to say we've read protocols and let's get on with it. Why do I have to turn away a patient in Haringey because I haven't done their local training session but I can do so in Hartlepool?
Then there are smart cards - what's smart about them? Some places have withdrawn pesonal smart cards and have store cards only, others are rolling out release 2 even though many people do not have release 1 and can't get one because the PCT isn't providing them when it's convenient to the pharmacist to get there, and on it goes.
Whilst it's nigglig for us and inconvenient, the patients must wonder what the NHS is about sometimes. Can't get the morning after pill here but you can across the road, why? It's a different PCT, obviously.
You'll soon be able to air your views via our Members Area of the web site. Keep visiting as it will be along soon, along with a host of new things such as your own Private Area, on line booking and diary, Pharmacy Finder. I could go on, but you'll see soon enough.
I may live a sheltered existence, but how is unprotected sex which requires EHC any different from one part of the country to another. We had some meetings in London this week and came away frustrated at the inflexibility of different PCTs to recognise a basic or "core" accreditation for EHC, with local variations built in e.g. some will provide the service via pharmacies only to under 19 year olds, others include condom supply, still others are providing material to "demonstrate" to youngsters how to put a condom on to a model of the "real thing" (I'm being as tactful as I can, if anyone dosen't know what I mean, please e-mail and I'll clarify in a more broad minded description; e-mail details on the main site).
I digress at this point. Back on message. Why on earth do we, allegedly well trained, motivated, professionals, who continually update our skills and expertise. The bulk of the questioning and advice and responses we go through are the same from one place to another, some minor local variations on procedure are not beyond our wit to recognise these. Perhaps we sign a fax and send it to say we've read protocols and let's get on with it. Why do I have to turn away a patient in Haringey because I haven't done their local training session but I can do so in Hartlepool?
Then there are smart cards - what's smart about them? Some places have withdrawn pesonal smart cards and have store cards only, others are rolling out release 2 even though many people do not have release 1 and can't get one because the PCT isn't providing them when it's convenient to the pharmacist to get there, and on it goes.
Whilst it's nigglig for us and inconvenient, the patients must wonder what the NHS is about sometimes. Can't get the morning after pill here but you can across the road, why? It's a different PCT, obviously.
You'll soon be able to air your views via our Members Area of the web site. Keep visiting as it will be along soon, along with a host of new things such as your own Private Area, on line booking and diary, Pharmacy Finder. I could go on, but you'll see soon enough.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
GET ME OUT OF HERE, I'M A PHARMACIST!
I don't like to associate myself with the similar titled television offering, but for once, I have a lot of sympathy for the celebs. (I will say that only once!!)
The last month has been a roller coaster of activity behind the scenes, and whilst anyone checking the web site (www.locumpharmacistuk.com) might have noticed very little changing, behind the scenes, in the 99% of the site which the public can't see or use, we've introduced so many changes and improvements that I'm in danger of losing the plot.
I now know more about Active Server Pages and Comma Seperated Variables than most people, certainly most in Pharmacy, anyway. These and a host of other items are helping us make the site an interactive quantum leap forward from what we have been doing. So far. you may have noticed "Test data" where Available Bookings ought to be and much of the Urgent Bookings have been ignored whilst we test out the system.
Result? In 2010, pharmacists will be able to log in to their own personal page, or "Lounge" (User Name and Password Protected) and update their information; availability for locum work, interest in permanent vacancies, job search, and also manage their own professional and financial information relating to work done.
Clients (Owners, Managers, Area Managers and Locum co-oordinators) will have their own "Lounge" (also User Name and Password Protected) to help manage and request locum bookings or request the Recruitment Service for Permanent Vacancies.
All of this information will feed into our databases at the touch of a button and allow us to interactivley support you, whether you are looking for Locum Work, a new full time job or if you need a locum or manager.
There will be other special features only available within The Members' Areas which will be accessible only to Registered Users. Registration will be free. Anybody can rgister their interest by telephoning, texting or e-mailing with your contact e-mail address, so that we can notify you as and when services come on-stream.
We think it will make life so much easier for everyone who chooses to use it, that we can't wait for 2010 to come! Why not make it your New Year Resolution to join up and see the benefits this will bring to you? We'll be waiting in the New Year for you, but in the meantime, does anyone know how to get me back to 2009 - I don't want to miss Christmas!
The last month has been a roller coaster of activity behind the scenes, and whilst anyone checking the web site (www.locumpharmacistuk.com) might have noticed very little changing, behind the scenes, in the 99% of the site which the public can't see or use, we've introduced so many changes and improvements that I'm in danger of losing the plot.
I now know more about Active Server Pages and Comma Seperated Variables than most people, certainly most in Pharmacy, anyway. These and a host of other items are helping us make the site an interactive quantum leap forward from what we have been doing. So far. you may have noticed "Test data" where Available Bookings ought to be and much of the Urgent Bookings have been ignored whilst we test out the system.
Result? In 2010, pharmacists will be able to log in to their own personal page, or "Lounge" (User Name and Password Protected) and update their information; availability for locum work, interest in permanent vacancies, job search, and also manage their own professional and financial information relating to work done.
Clients (Owners, Managers, Area Managers and Locum co-oordinators) will have their own "Lounge" (also User Name and Password Protected) to help manage and request locum bookings or request the Recruitment Service for Permanent Vacancies.
All of this information will feed into our databases at the touch of a button and allow us to interactivley support you, whether you are looking for Locum Work, a new full time job or if you need a locum or manager.
There will be other special features only available within The Members' Areas which will be accessible only to Registered Users. Registration will be free. Anybody can rgister their interest by telephoning, texting or e-mailing with your contact e-mail address, so that we can notify you as and when services come on-stream.
We think it will make life so much easier for everyone who chooses to use it, that we can't wait for 2010 to come! Why not make it your New Year Resolution to join up and see the benefits this will bring to you? We'll be waiting in the New Year for you, but in the meantime, does anyone know how to get me back to 2009 - I don't want to miss Christmas!
Friday, 23 October 2009
BNP - have we learnt nothing from history?
I was shocked to discover that almost a million British people voted for the BNP (British National Party) in the recent European Elections. Seventy years ago a whole generation of young men (and women) combined from all parts of the world fought - and many died, giving their tomorrows for us to have freedom today. Those who fought against the horrors and evil of Nazism came from all countries, races, colours and creeds. A tide of humanity united against the atrocities that were committed against so many innocent people, and hoped that they had left behind a better world for us to inhabit.
Nick Griffin and his party have the right to free speech that we often forget is so precious to liberty - Napoleon Bonaprte was quoted as saying "Four hostile newspapers are to be feared more than a thousand bayonets". Free speech is a two way street, however, and whilst some of the questions and comments put to Mr. Griffin showed him and his beliefs to be at best, confused, at worst, abhorrent, my favourite quip of the night was from Bonnie Greer, who kept her cool admirably throughout, pointing out "All of us are descended from Africa".
I've always found pharmacy to be a very tolerant and meritocratic beast and have rarely come accross any racist tendencies with people I have worked with. I'm sure some individuals have experienced it in their time and I have been told by some during a recruitment process that they do fear it's effect and impact, which has a huge influence on areas where they might consider working and living. That is soul destroying to hear.
My favourite incident which highlighted the crass stupidity of people believing in racial stereotypes occurred a few years backm, when we recruited a man, we'll call him Geoff (not his real name) for an independent pharmacy, after considering posts with a small group and a major multiple. Geoff enjoyed three years in the job in a middle class, almost exclusively white populated area. His patients and customers really thought very highly of him, not just because he was so good at this job, but because he was a really pleasant, caring, dedicated man who would go out of his way for anyone. I don't know if it helped his situation that he spoke with a cut-glass English accent that would have fitted well on the BBC in the 1950's.
More than once after securing the job for Geoff, I visited the pharmacy to see how he was getting on. It never failed to make me smile when a ptient who had spoken to him on the telephone came into the pharmacy and saw him for the first time. After asking to speak with Geoff, they were told politley, "Hello Mr. Jones, nice to meet you at last. I'm Geoff". There would follow a moment of uncertainty as Mr. Jones would stutter, "But.. but..". "Geoff would help them out "Yes Mr. Jones, I'm black. I'm from Nigeria". A relieved Mr. Jones would reach out to shake Geoff's extended hand "But you sound so English!".
Nick Griffin and his party have the right to free speech that we often forget is so precious to liberty - Napoleon Bonaprte was quoted as saying "Four hostile newspapers are to be feared more than a thousand bayonets". Free speech is a two way street, however, and whilst some of the questions and comments put to Mr. Griffin showed him and his beliefs to be at best, confused, at worst, abhorrent, my favourite quip of the night was from Bonnie Greer, who kept her cool admirably throughout, pointing out "All of us are descended from Africa".
I've always found pharmacy to be a very tolerant and meritocratic beast and have rarely come accross any racist tendencies with people I have worked with. I'm sure some individuals have experienced it in their time and I have been told by some during a recruitment process that they do fear it's effect and impact, which has a huge influence on areas where they might consider working and living. That is soul destroying to hear.
My favourite incident which highlighted the crass stupidity of people believing in racial stereotypes occurred a few years backm, when we recruited a man, we'll call him Geoff (not his real name) for an independent pharmacy, after considering posts with a small group and a major multiple. Geoff enjoyed three years in the job in a middle class, almost exclusively white populated area. His patients and customers really thought very highly of him, not just because he was so good at this job, but because he was a really pleasant, caring, dedicated man who would go out of his way for anyone. I don't know if it helped his situation that he spoke with a cut-glass English accent that would have fitted well on the BBC in the 1950's.
More than once after securing the job for Geoff, I visited the pharmacy to see how he was getting on. It never failed to make me smile when a ptient who had spoken to him on the telephone came into the pharmacy and saw him for the first time. After asking to speak with Geoff, they were told politley, "Hello Mr. Jones, nice to meet you at last. I'm Geoff". There would follow a moment of uncertainty as Mr. Jones would stutter, "But.. but..". "Geoff would help them out "Yes Mr. Jones, I'm black. I'm from Nigeria". A relieved Mr. Jones would reach out to shake Geoff's extended hand "But you sound so English!".
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