UKPPG - the 1999 news

Here is the 1999 UKPPG/psychiatric pharmacy news archive - anoraks out!

EPPN project on Continuing Education in Psychiatry and Neurology on your desk by information and communication technology (ICT).
BACKGROUND

Due to the enhanced traffic-jams, organising courses becomes more and more difficult. The pharmacist has to be in his hospital and with the patients.
In most countries over Europe, continuing education well-focused on psychiatry and neurology for pharmacists does not exist.
The fast evolution in psychopharmacology needs a continuous evaluation of pharmacists knowledge.
Certification and accreditation become legal obligations.

AIMS OF THE PROJECT

The aim is to organise an educational program, with following requirements

- high (university) level
- continuous evaluation of the knowledge
- teaching the most recent issues of out profession
- by preference on a electronic way (e.g. website)
- an interactive communication by email
- on an international basis

- certified every year

- PRACTICAL TOOLS

10 series of questions or tasks every year
In French or English
A board of

- teaching specialists coordinated by the division of Drug and Patient Information of the University of Leuven (KUL)
- pharmacists m psychiatry and neurology of different countries
- biological psychiatrists of different countries

Using reference books For ex.: Stahl and Bazire

and ad hoc literature (slides, papers, reviews,...)

An information desk at the University of Leuven

PLEASE RETURN THIS PAPER BY FAX TO:
JOHAN REYNTENS: FAX: 0032/9.376.97.49

NAME:

................................................................................................................................

FAX: .................................................................................................................................

COUNTRY: .......................................................................................................................

Is there any interest for this continuing education program in your country:

Yes / No
- If yes, how many colleagues should follow it ?
- If no, what's the problem:
1. no interest at all
2. expensive
3. Lack of computer facilities
4. well structured continuing education in your country
5. no time
6. other reasons:

.................................................................................................................................

JR/kd/09. 12.1999

G:lPatientenzorg\Algemeen Sekretariaat\A,ootheek\,oroject continuing education doc

* The course will focus on the psychopathological and the pharmacological aspects of different diagnoses in psychiatry and neurology. Clinical and diagnostic aspects, pharmacovigilance, research and patient drug information will be included in this course.

* Every 2 year, there will be the possibility for questioning and evaluating the course on the EPPN seminar.
- COSTS
- If we can enrole 60 participants, the costs of the course could be reduced to 300 Euro/year.
- The costs for the reference - books are for the participant.
- The costs for the EPPN seminar are also for the participant.

Research Opportunity - urgent - David Taylor and Stephen Bazire met with a Pharmaceutical Foundation on Friday 10th December 1999. There is an opportunity to manage an urgent multicentre research project on a particular drug. There are several options:

Someone willing to run the whole project, which needs to be complete by the end of June 2000 (Dr. Dave Branford has volunteered (14.12.99)
Someone interested in doing a six-month secondment to the Maudsley to run the project if no one else comes forward to run the project
People from about 30 centres to take part (for appropriate honoraria).

If you are interested, please e-mail David.Taylor@slam-tr.nhs.uk as soon as possible.
(11.12.99)

College of Mental Health Pharmacists - the elections for the founder members of the college will be taking place soon. There are eight candidates at the moment (I think). Details of these good people and the voting paper should be going out to all members around the 30th December (in order to miss the Christmas rush), with a closing date of 21.1.2000.
(11.12.99)

Appeal. I received this e-mail from the site:
Dear Mr Bazire
My concern is the way vulnerable people can be inadvertently prescribed drugs which may induce mental imbalance, and what safety measures can be developed. The information and training for medical practitioners and staff is at present inadequate. Even the availability of specific written information is not readilly available in some teaching hospitals. I wonder if you can put me in touch with people concerned with this problem - I intend to write a book on the subject or am willing to help with research, if you know of anyone who is doing this. I would be pleased to discuss my findings with you or anyone who may have an interest. If anyone is doing or would like to do research into aspects of this problem, please put them in touch with me. It may be possible to seek funding for this research.
sincerely Millie Kieve
I did reply, and if anyone else has time to follow this up, Millie would be delighted to hear from you, be e-mailing Millie@kieve.freeserve.co.uk.
(11.12.99)

Lynn Haygarth has been awarded a Master of Education in clinical pharmacy teaching, for her project looking at outcomes from the Certificate and Diploma.
(29.11.99)

Celia Feetam has been elected Vice Chairman of the UKPPG, and we will thus need a new Treasurer between now and next February. Is there a member who might consider taking on this specific role? Celia has the system well set up and the new holder will receive the help and support of the committee. Ask Celia if you want more information (see committee for her contact details).
(29.11.99)

UKPPG Committee. The committee met on 26.11.99, thanks to Chris Sutton and Lundbeck for supporting this. The business planning session on Thursday was complex, and the conclusions will be produced soon. Thanks to the dozen or so members who input. The committee meeting included:

Graham Parton was welcomed as new member
The main item of discussion was the 2000 conference. Topics, speakers, chairmen, venue, price, dates (6th-8th October 2000) etc. (details in due course, as Alan Pollard was minuting the discussion and I have no notes!)
80 attendees at learning disabilities study day in November – very successful
MHA review entered a new phase of consultation (Dave Branford reported)
Finances are healthy
Celia Feetam accepted unanimous the nomination to become Vice Chairman, albeit with the same reservations to those held by her predecessor. A new treasurer will be needed, so anybody interested should make themselves known as soon as possible.
Feedback from Conference discussed in depth. The general impression was that Latimer House tried really hard and generally things went well, apart from some IT items. Despite our best efforts to discourage people (everything from notifying in July, and having the wrong date on publicity material) , we still virtually sold out. Latimer may have reached it’s limits for space, but no where else offers such a nice venue at this price. Any comments?
Postal voting scheme was put forward by Alan Pollard, approved with some fine adjustments. Full details TBA in due course.
Peter Pratt’s idea for a mentorship scheme was supported, and we may need a list of names and contact points for pharmacists with >3-5years experience willing to help other people.
The list of people standing for CMHP was seen, and the election mechanism agreed. One late nomination from Scotland was expected and would be accepted.
The Postgraduate Certificate is now in its second year, with 27 completing the first intake in a few months and 30 starting the second intake in January. It’s not easy but all are managing. The Diploma has been approved by Aston University, and will commence in April 2000, probably at about Ł1,500. No local tutors are allowed by Aston, so only Aston employees (e.g. Lynn Haygarth, Celia Feetam and Dave Branford) can be used. Local facilitators are acceptable, and a training day is planned and honoraria granted. There is no further information on the MSc yet. Bursaries are available from the UKPPG coffers (although recipients are encouraged to acknowledge receipt and at least say thank you!)
The RPSGB Task Force on mental health is likely to report in July 2000, with a parallel symposium at BPC in September.
Lynn Haygarth stood down as training weekend organiser after a decade of hard, efficient and effective effort, well appreciated. Diane Booth and Graham Parton will take over. A separate sub-group will be formed.
Graham Parton will take over the Zeneca Travel Award
The Audit commission is investigating hospital pharmacy and has visited Dave Branford
A database of papers and publications relevant to psychiatric pharmacy and the role of pharmacists will be commissioned, and will be available on the website

(29.11.99)

The European psychopharmacy group met in the Netherlands on 12th-13th November 1999, supported by Nourypharma (Organon). Items discussed included:

Changing the name to European Pharmacists for Psychiatry and Neurology (EPPN), as Psychopharmacists sounded a little ..er.. odd.
Continuing the European antipsychotics survey and hypnotics survey, which with results from Netherlands, Belgium, France and Scotland has revealed some startling differences. Sadly England has lagged behind (S. Bazire at fault), so that must be corrected.
The (larger) biennial conference will be held 10th-11th November 2000, probably in Gent.
The relationship with European Association of Hospital Pharmacists was discussed. Running a parallel symposium at EAHP in Madrid (in order to "advertise our speciality") was considered the best way to proceed, running a separate conference just for pharmacists in psychiatry in Europe.

(16.11.99)

The latest UKPPG Bulletin finally hit the streets on Monday 15.11.99. Included are two requests for members. Firstly, to let the committee know what the are the (up to) five main things preventing development of services and up to five things the UKPPG could do to help members develop services to patients. The first reply was faxed through at 10.45am on Monday 15th November, so at least someone was on the ball. Your Chairman hopes to receive many more before Wednesday 22nd November (before the business meeting on the Thursday). Also, a request for members to stand for as a founder of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. To date, one self-nomination has been received, and three more are on the way, which is hopeful. If you need any further information, please e-mail Stephen Bazire.
16.11.99

Michael Bohdan immediate past SPMH chairman, is off to warmer climes, to take up a new job with Auckland Healthcare in New Zealand. His new address from 8th November will be:
c/o Department of Pharmaceutical Services
Auckland Healthcare Services Limited
Auckland Hospital
Private Bag 92024
Auckland
New Zealand
+64 (0)9 307 4949
New e-mail michaelbohdan@hotmail.com
He hopes you'll all keep in touch. Best of luck Michael.
(20.10.99)

UKPPG AGM
The AGM of the UKPPG was held on Friday 8th October at Latimer House. 119 members (and many non-members) attended and a healthy two and a half hour debate took place. The outcome was that the membership voted to amend the constitution to establish a College of Mental Health Pharmacists as a sub-group of the UKPPG. The motions passed were:
1. The executive committee of the UKPPG shall to take the steps necessary to establish the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. The College of Mental Health Pharmacists will be a practice sub-group of the UKPPG.
The committee noted that further consultation would be included in this process.
2. The executive committee of the UKPPG will appoint the founder members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. Founder members must be members of the UKPPG. Founder members will be elected by acclamation in an election open to all UKPPG members. The role of the founder members will be to develop the infrastructure necessary to support the establishment and early development of the College, and to take the steps necessary for the admission of new members.
It was agreed that the voting for the founder members would be repeated in a diffeent format. 3. The UKPPG executive committee will take any actions it deems reasonably necessary to assist the founder members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists in the establishment and development of the College.
4 The constitution of the UKPPG will be amended by adding the following paragraphs:
i. The College of Mental Health Pharmacists is a practice sub-group of the UKPPG.
ii. The College of Mental Health Pharmacists is managed by its own members. It is accountable to its own membership on professional issues, but to the UKPPG in financial matters.
iii. The College of Mental Health Pharmacists has an executive committee of five members. The officers are: President, Vice-president, and Secretary.
iv. Membership of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists is open to members of the UKPPG. Candidates will be expected to be able to demonstrate a high level of competence in the practice of psychiatric pharmacy.
5. The founder members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists will develop a constitution for the College which will be presented to the UKPPG membership for their consideration and approval.
6. The founder members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists will establish the process and means by which candidates for membership may demonstrate a high level of competence in the practice of psychiatric pharmacy.
7. Once the the College of Mental Health Pharmacists has reached a membership of 25 (not including the founders), the founder members shall resign and an election shall take place to elect the first elected executive committee of the College.
8. Following their resignation, if they wish to remain members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists, the founder members shall themselves undergo the same accreditation process as other members of the College.
9. If the College of Mental Health Pharmacists has not achieved its initial target membership of 25 members within 2 years of its establishment, the continued support for the College from the UKPPG will be reviewed. The results of the review will be presented to the following AGM of the UKPPG for its consideration.
The motion 7 that "the use of the title "specialist" in describing the professional role of pharmacists working in mental health (eg. specialist psychiatric pharmacist, or specialist pharmacist in psychiatry etc.) will be restricted to members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists" was not approved, as it was probably not legally enforceable.
More details will be revealed in due course, when the ever efficient Alan Pollard produces the minutes.
(SRB, 11.10.99)

UKPPG committee. Graham Parton for Bristol was voted on to the committee at the AGM, replacing John Donoghue. The AGM also passed a motion that the election of committee members of the UKPPG will take place by means of a postal vote and the results announced at the AGM. Nominations are to be received in writing by the end of July each year and the members asked to vote.
At the Conference, the awards were judged by Peter Pratt (Sheffield), Dr. Margaret Roberts (Cardiff) and Dr. Hiram Wildgust (Lilly). The prize for the oral presentation was awarded to Diane Harris (Derby) for her project on investigating community pharmacists roles. For the posters, first prize went to Denise Duncan-McConnell (London) for patient education programme, Stuart Banham (Oxleas, Bexley) for clinical governance publications and Betsy Wilkie, for patient information leaflets for people with learning disabilities. The Chairman's Award for Lifelong Achievement was presented to Peter Pratt (Community Health, Sheffield) by David Taylor, for his challenging, unselfish, brave, insightful, decent and honest contribution to the development of psychiatric pharmacy over the last decade or so.
(11.10.99)

Thursday 30th September 1999 - FIRST NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
This has now come out and, as suspected, there is no mention of pharmacy anywhere. Rumours that the RPSGB declined to make any input, nor contact any interested parties (such as UKPPG) appear to have been true, judging by the content. What Steve Bazire thinks of the RPSGB Task Force on mental Health can be seen by clicking the link. The press release is as follows:

National standards to drive up quality and cut wide variations in services are set out today in the first National Service Framework for mental health, launched by Health Secretary, Frank Dobson. The framework sets national standards, based on clinical evidence, and sets out best practice for promoting mental health and treating mental illness. It promises national and regional support for health and social services and establishes the progress which should be made within certain timescales. National Service Frameworks fulfil the Government's commitment to tackle significant causes of ill health and disability.
Frank Dobson said:
"In the past, people with mental health problems have been let down by unacceptable variations in health care. I want services that offer the highest quality to everyone, regardless of their gender, age, race or where they live.
"We are providing substantial new resources for mental health - Ł700 million in this and the next two years in our drive to build modern and dependable mental health services.
"We set out our new vision and policies for safe, sound and supportive care in Modernising Mental Healthand a root and branch review of mental health law is underway. This new framework set the first ever national standards and spells out how to prevent and treat mental illness."

The framework for mental health focuses on services for adults of working age in England. Its seven standards require health and social services to:
promote mental health for all and combat discrimination against people with mental health problems;
identify the needs of patients with mental health problems and ensure they are offered effective treatments;
ensure all services are available around the clock;
ensure that all mental health service users on the Care Programme Approach (CPA) receive care which prevents or anticipates crisis and reduces risk;
provide a hospital bed or suitable alternative bed for those who need it in an environment close to home that protects them and the public;
make sure carers who look after someone on the CPA have their own caring, physical and mental health needs assessed on an annual basis;
reduce the level suicide.

Frank Dobson continued:
"Mental health problems are both common and diverse. As many as one in six adults suffer from mental health problems at any one time. This ranges from depression to rare but severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia.
"Mentally ill people depend on effective mental health care for their own well-being, independence and safety. Despite the public's fears, most seriously mentally ill people are not dangerous and indeed are more likely to harm or kill themselves than anyone else. Each year in England alone around 4,000 people take their own lives. With proper care, intervention and support many of these lives might be saved, and for thousands of others we can help reduce the trauma.
"One way or another, everywhere in the country, mental health services will be challenged by the National Service Framework's new standards. We are now being explicit about our expectations - successes will win praise, serious failures will bring intervention. I believe these new standards give us an opportunity to modernise the way we help and care for the thousands of mentally ill people. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss."
The Care Programme Approach is an important aspect of mental health care and in support of the framework, it has been reviewed separately. A policy booklet setting out the changes to the CPA is being published next week. The new arrangements will strengthen care co-ordination, achieve a consistent approach nationally, reduce bureaucracy and achieve greater focus on the needs of those being cared for. Under the new arrangements, Health and Local Authorities will be expected to work together to co-ordinate delivery of care, through explicit, individually tailored care plans, to minimise loss of contact with services and maximise the effect of therapeutic intervention.
The National Service Framework's seven standards are:
Standard One - Health and social services should: promote mental health for all, working with individuals and communities; combat discrimination against individuals and groups with mental health problems, and promote their social inclusion.
Standard Two - Any service user who contacts their primary health care team with a common mental health problem should: have their mental health needs identified and assessed; be offered effective treatments, including referral to specialist services for further assessment, treatment and care if they require it.
Standard Three - Any individual with a common mental health problems should: be able to make contact round the clock with the local services necessary to meet their needs and receive adequate care; be able to use NHS Direct as it develops for first level advice and referral on to specialist helplines or to local services.
Standard Four - All mental health service users on the Care Programme Approach (CPA) should: receive care which optimises engagement, anticipates or prevents a crisis, and reduces risk; have a copy of a written care plan which includes the action to be taken in a crisis by service users, their carers, and their care co-ordinators, advises the GP how they should respond if the service user needs additional help, and is regularly reviewed by the care co-ordinator; be able to access services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Standard Five - Each service user who is assessed as requiring a period of care away from their home should have: timely access to an appropriate hospital bed or alternative bed or place, which is in the least restrictive environment consistent with the need to protect them and the public, and as close to home as possible; a copy of a written after care plan agreed on discharge which sets out the care and rehabilitation to be provided, identifies the care co-ordinator, and specifies the action to be taken in a crisis.
Standard Six - All individuals who provide regular and substantial care for a person on CPA should: have an assessment of their caring, physical and mental health needs, repeated on at least an annual basis; have their own written care plan which is given to them and implemented in discussion with them.
Standard Seven Local health and social care communities should prevent suicides by implementing the other six standards and: ensure that staff are competent to assess the risk of suicide among individuals at greatest risk; support local prison staff in preventing suicides among prisoners; and develop local systems for suicide audit to learn lessons and take any necessary action.
2. The National Service Framework is based on wide ranging evidence brought together by the independent External Reference Group, chaired by Professor Graham Thornicroft from the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London. The group brought together health and social care professionals, service users and carers, health and social service managers, partner agencies and others.
3. The Commission for Health Improvement, the Social Service Inspectorate, and the Audit Commission will rigorously monitor local progress on meeting these standards. Performance will be assessed through a number of national milestones and high level performance indicators. Local health and social care communities will also agree local milestones with the NHS Executive regional offices and social care regions.
4. Media copies of the NSF for mental health are available from the Department of Health Media Centre.
5. The CPA guide aims to make the CPA a more effective and efficient system of modern mental health care co-ordination. It will clarify the role and purpose of the CPA and includes a list of the key changes to the CPA and sets out who is responsible for their implementation. Copies of the CPA booklet are available from DoH, PO Box 777, London, SE1 6XH. Requests can be faxed to 01623 724524 or emailed to doh@prologistics.co.uk
Full copies can be obtained by clicking here. There is a review article in the BMJ (1999, 319, 1017-8, the 16th October edition) by Professor Peter Tyrer entitled "The national service framework: a scaffold for mental health. Implementation is the key to determining whether it's a support or a gallows."
(12.10.99)

The December Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica editorial by John Donoghue (Acta Psych Scand 1998, 98, 429-31) has stirred some controversy (Blakey, Acta Psych Scand 1999, 100, 317) and a firm rebuttal from John on the same page. Good reading indeed! (29.9.99)

Chairman David Taylor has just sustained a compressed fracture of 3rd metacarpal playing rugby. Not only can't he play rugby for 6 weeks, nor his guitar, he'll even be around on the Saturday afternoon of the Conference. And, before you ask, yes, it does hurt.
(13.9.99)

Methohexital. This isn't exactly news, but I received this letter from Graham Newton, and I have received several other similar communications:
You'll all be aware of the recent problems with methohexitone and thiopentone availability for anaesthesia during ECT. We didn't think much about it until we heard (i) that Brietal has been discontinued completely by Lilly and (ii) the alternatives in use are causing problems with particularly the elderly ECT patients: the etomidate is causing very slow recovery and the propafol, as per ECT Handbook, is reducing seizure duration.
Are any of you aware of particular problems locally, especially in the elderly? Would be grateful to hear your experiences and concerns.
Also, have you received the letter from Lilly explaining the discontinuation? Either way, please let me know. We didn't get a letter and wonder how many other departments on not on the 'mailing lists'. Further, do you Lilly's approach to this discontinuation has been appropriate? Should they be able to discontinue the drug without consultation of ECT depts/mental health service providers etc...
If you want to write to Lilly to make observations about this matter, the man is:
Mr Derica Rice
Eli Lilly & Co Ltd
Dextra Court
Chapel Hill
Bassingstoke
Hampshire RG21 5SY
From: Graham Newton, Drug Information Pharmacist, Mossley Hill Hospital, Park Avenue, Liverpool L18 8BU, Tel: 0151-250 6011 Fax: 0151-729 0670, e-mail dicgn01@yahoo.com
(SRB 17.9.99)

UKPPG Committee 10.9.99. The UKPPG committee met on Friday 10^th September on Coventry, supported by Merck Pharmaceuticals. The main discussions focused on the accreditation scheme and Conference (1999 and 2000). Some of the main points were:

1. Conference:

The Credit card facility for paying for conference will be available, to avoid problems with fees arriving late or not arriving.
The conference has now filled the 175 places available, although a few more may become available
Dr John Hughes has had to withdraw and a substitute is being sought
CPP has again recognised the conference for its continuing education requirements
John Lawton and Anthony Oxley have kindly agreed to be auditors of the UKPPG accounts before tha AGM
The judging criteria for the posters and oral presentations have been agreed (link)
We currently have 15 posters booked

2. Accreditation scheme

Part of the committee discussion was with a Regional Pharmaceutical Adviser, who supported the scheme and offered strategic advice. Support for our proposed scheme has been received from national professional and user organisations, some of whom have offered to help with the process. The comments from the members on the voting forms were discussed. At the AGM discussion, we plan to have three overview presentations, followed by focused discussion in groups and then voting. There are also 10 AGM motions from other sources. (NB has anyone else noticed that the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists Day Conference debate on 26^th November is that "This house believes that Pharmacists should be re-examined every 5 years to prove competence to practice"? Is any UKPPG member going? Could they let us know what the arguments are?)

3. Bulletin

The next Bulletin is planned for early October, with a Conference issue in December. Lynn Haygarth has now taken over as Editor, although the smaller that usual October edition is likely to be a shared effort. Hayward Medical have had a fire at their London Offices, which hasn’t made life easy for them.

4. Other items:

The UKPPG now has 400 paid-up members (or 401 once the Vice Chairman has paid his overdue subscription!)
Dr. Dave Branford has had his contribution to the Mental Health Act review acknowledged and recognised
Celia Feetam reported that the Certificate is progressing well, with the Diploma due for launch in October or November, depending when the University Accreditation of the Course is finally received.
Former committee member Jennie Day is moving to Manchester soon
In response to a series of requests over the last year, Vice Chairman Stephen Bazire has produced a singularly personal "management tips and ideas", with some personal management tips, which may be useful to people interested in some ideas on how to raise the profile of pharmacy services. This is NOT a UKPPG document in any way, and copies can be obtained from Stephen or from the website, the URL of which will appear in the Bulletin or can be obtained by e-mailing Stephen (Stephen Bazire), to nominally restrict to UKPPG Bulletin readers.
The atypical antipsychotic audit carried out last year by many UKPPG members is due for publication in the December 1999 edition of the International Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Practice
At the AGM, apart from Clinical Governance and the 10 motions, election of Officers will involve only one vacant slot, as John Donoghue’s 3 years is up. There have been (at the time of writing, 10.9.99) no nominations.

Error, error. The correct fax number for Denny and the UKPPG conference bookings is: Denny Humphries,
UKPPG Pharmacy Conference 1999,
23, Danehurst Road,
Wallasey L45 3JJ
Fax +44 151 638 3237

The published fax number is incorrect, as a result of an inexplicable mix-up. (For a pint I'll explain). Sorry folks (30.8.99)

The UKPPG now has 376 paid-up members. Not terribly newsworthy, but an interesting fact, and up-to-date. (10.7.99)

Accreditation. The provisional results (as of 26/6/99) of the voting for founder members of the new college are as follows. The Founders will be:

Steve Bazire
Dave Branford
David Taylor
Carol Paton
John Donoghue

76 forms were returned to Denny. All founders received more than 25 votes. (29.6.99)

UKPPG Committee meeting was held at Coventry on 4th June, courtesy of Lilly Psychiatry. Items discussed included:

Forensic group which had met in May, and discussed service provision, new therapies and the future collaboration of specialists in forensic services. An annul meeting is planned for May.
UKPPG membership now stands at 370
The conference is now reasonably planned, with all speakers confirmed, and the Audio-visual equipment checked by David Taylor personally to ensure it works. 11 workshops are confirmed.
27 candidates are currently enrolled on the Postgraduate Certificate at Aston University. The Diploma is due to be advertised in the PJ soon, and should start in November. The UKPPG is writing to professor Billington and his team to congratulate them on the high quality of the qualifications. The MSc continues to progress, with 6 tutors identified.
Clinical Governance was the main topic of conversation:

Reaffirmation that exclusivity was not the aim, but more to support members in raising standards. Roles within the Mental health Act and as dependent prescribers were mentioned specifically
The UKPPG would remain, and that, membership agreeing, the College of Menatl Health pharmacists (CMHP) would be established within the UKPPG
After a series of presentations, the AGM would be asked to vote on five motions:
1. to agree the accreditation process
2. to adopt the proposed process
3. to adopt the proposed standards
4. to agree the establishing founders
5. to establish the CMHP

The possibility of UKPPG affiliation with RPSGB
Mentorship within UKPPG

Congratulations to Gill Hawksworth, new committee member, who was voted back on to the RPSGB Council in the recent elections. Hopefully Gill will be able to help present our case when appropriate to the RPSGB Council members. (24.5.99)

UKPPG Bulletin for March finally hit the Post office in late May, with most copies arriving on about 20th May. We appologise for the delay, which was not of our doing, particularly as most of the data went to the publishers at the end of February.
Please note: The Clincal Governance voting form closing date of 25th May was intended for the Bulletin when it cam out towards the end of April. This is obviously far too tight and the closing date will be extended. We hope to arrange a second mailing to this extent, although it will cost us. Please just vote for Founders anyway, preferably as soon as possible. Please also pass this message on to other members. (24.5.99)

RPSGB Task Force on mental health. The first meeting of the RPSGB Task Force on Mental health met for the frist time on 22nd April 1999. The members include Mr Hassan Argomandkhah (Chairman), Portia Omo-Bare (East London), John Donoghue (Liverpool), Stephen Bazire (Norwich), Clive Jackson (NPC), Christine Gray (RPSGB), Margaret Edwards (SANE), Andrew Curry (CMHT manager from Wimborne) and Prof. Rob Kerwin (Maudsley). The Task force secretary is Janet Flint, and RPSGB President Hemant Patel has been instrumental in forming the Task Force. The RPSGB Task Force agreed some of the common issues ie requirement for a needs-led approach, 24 hour services an involved users and carers. The development of practice advice, including models of good care and making use of existing strengths, is the aim. A literature search is being carried out by Janet Flint, and is to be finished by the end of May. UKPPG members are asked to send Janet copies of all relevant material relating to pharmaceutical care of people with mental health needs, particularly where it deals with collaborative working between pharmacists (of all types and locations) and other professionals and carers. This could include projects, published papers, local guidelines etc. This can then be used to prepare a draft action plan. Contact Janet Flint at RPSGB, 1, Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN, tel: 0171 820 3399 ext 278, or e-mail JFlint@rpsgb.org.uk. Future meetings will be held on Thursday 8th July and Wednesday 13th October.
(22.4.99)

UKPPG Committee
Most of the UKPPG committee met on Thursday 8th April at Westminster Stakis, before the joint BAP/UKPPG meeting. Among the many items discussed were:

RPSGB Task Force on mental health (first meeting on Thursday April 22nd) - members John Donoghue and Stephen Bazire are involved, with John D having carried out much background work
the possibility of an MSc through the Institute of Psychiatry continues to be explored by David M. Taylor. Progress is promising and a January 2000 start date is not impossible, although much still needs to be done
Weight gain study - 4 participants have already been recruited through this website
The Forensic Special Interest Group is alive, with the next meeting proposed for 21-22nd May, Leeds (see diary or contact THilton@eht.org.uk)
The two annual awards have been judged. The Bayer Award has gone to Helen Tennant (Norwich) for research into medication education groups in the elderly, and the UKPPG-Zeneca Travel Award to Shameem Mir (Maudsley) for a survey of atypical antipsychotic prescribing
The conference was a major item, please see the diary for new and confirmed details. The programme is slightly different to previous years to include a major discussion about Clinical Governance, and the future of the UKPPG. This is planned for Friday evening, and all members should make sure they are available to discuss this topic, which will be of huge importance in future years
Clinical Governance, and the UKPPG response through accreditation of pharmacists, was discussed at length. Much has been agreed about the mechanism through which pharmacists could be accredited as specialist mental health pharmacists, and a planned launch at the Conference remains on target
The UKPPG Patient Information Leaflets may become available on CD-ROM/disk from January 2000, with encoded date etc. More details to follow.
The next UKPPG committee meeting is on Friday 4th June, start 10.30am at Hilton Hotel, Coventry. Comments, suggestions etc. to Secretary Alan Pollard

The meeting room and accommodation was supported by Lorex-Synthelabo, so thanks to them for that.
(9.4.99)

UKPPG Awards The winners of the current two awards have been named:

Zeneca Travel Award - Shameem Mir, Maudsley, for a study into prescribing of atypical antipsychotics
Bayer Old Age Psychiatry Award - Helen Tennant, Norwich for future research into medication education for older people with mental health problems

. Congratulations to these two!(9.4.99)

Gill Hawksworth, who has been an active member of the UKPPG Committee since 1998, is standing for membership of the Council of the RPSGB. UKPPG members will not need their degree to work out the potential positive significance for psychiatric pharmacy in the UK if this election occurs. (28.3.99)

Clinical Governance The UKPPG Clinical Governance sub-committee or working party met for the second time on 28.3.99 at the Maudsley Hospital. Chaired by David Taylor, members (or volunteers) Carol Paton, Diane Booth, Lynn Haygarth, Stephen Bazire, Celia Feetam, Morag Martin and John Donoghue discussed in detail how the UKPPG could progress the accrediation of specialist mental health pharmacists. The next UKPPG Bulletin will have a voting form for UKPPG members to vote for number of pharmacists to be agreed as judged by their peers as competent and thus credible "Founding Members" of a new accreditation scheme. Please use this opportunity to vote for people you know to be good practising specialist pharmacists. This need not necessarily be nationally known figures.
More information will become available in due course, but the scheme on track for the planned launch in October.
Anybody wishing to take part in this process, feed in views, thoughts or suggestions or just comment, please contact the Chairman David Taylor (Chief Pharmacist, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, Fax 0171-919-2337) or or Vice Chairman Stephen Bazire, Pharmacy Services Director, Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich NR6 5BE, Fax 01603-421365 or e-mail sbazire@ukppg.co.uk as soon as possible. (28.3.99)

Hypnotics survey: at the European Psychopharmacy Congress in Copenhagen in November, it became apparent that there was a wide diversity in the use of hypnotics in the elderly e.g. the widespread use on nitrazepam in some parts of Norway. It has been decided to try to do a pan-European survey of hypnotics in the elderly, and volunteers in each country will be sought soon. More details can be found by clicking here. (23.3.99)

Congratulations to Andy Barber, former committee member and now in Galway, who became a dad again a few weeks ago. (23.3.99)

European Association of Hospital Pharmacists - the satellite symposium on psychiatry at the EAHP Congress in Nice in March was well attended (85 people, I know because I counted them from the stage) and led to several new contacts made within Europe e.g. more Dutch pharmacists and some from Sweden - all appear keen and want to do more. (23.3.99)

The UKPPG activities survey was, at last, posted to all members on 15.3.99. If you're a member, then you should have received one recently. If you don't, please check you're still a member and then let Stephen Bazire know and he'll send another one. Hope the wait was worth while! Feedback so far is very positive, although I (SRB) might need to take the blame for losing Celia Feetam's entry. If I did, that is. (23.3.99)

That man John Donoghue has just received an invitation to speak at the ECNP in symposium number S27: The need and significance of placebo. The provisional title is "Do primary care physicians use antidepressants as placebos?". The UKPPG is making progress towards being recognised in mainstream psychiatry! (10.3.99)

Prof. Larry Cohen (currently Professor of Pharmacy, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Director, Clinical Pharmacology Services) has a new job as Director of Central Nervous System Research with Kendle International. He (and Ginger) are relocating to Cincinnati. Current e-mail lawrence-cohen@ouhsc.edu. Larry is well known to many UKPPG members and a regular visitor to these shores. (4.3.99)

Clinical Governance The UKPPG Clinical Governance sub-committee or working party met for the first time on 1.2.99 at the Maudsley Hospital. Chaired by David Taylor, members (or volunteers) Carol Paton, Diane Booth, Peter Pratt and Stephen Bazire discussed how the UKPPG could facilitate or take a professional lead in this topic of vital importance (if it's just another trendy term to you, you'd better wake up to the new NHS!). Clinical Governance is mentioned frequently in the Government White Papers, and is the term used to describe the "Corporate Responsibility" Trusts will have to take for the clinical competence and performance of individual practitioners and the teams that provide clinical services, including pharmacy. Many Trusts have already appointed "Clinical Governors".
The working party considered various options aimed at helping to improve the care of patients through demonstrably improving standards and performance. One concept that had much to recommend it was that all lead people in charge of providing mental health pharmaceutical care should be accredited as competent to lead that service. To be "accredited" would be a method to assure Trust Chief Executives that their Pharmacy Service was lead by a competent person ie experienced, knowledgeable, credible, and with leadership, critical appraisal and communication skills and abilities. Not an easy task to assess!
The UKPPG has set up a working party to discuss taking a lead role in this topic. A steering sub-committee has been formed, and more details will appear in the Bulletin soon. UKPPG members will be asked to vote for number of pharmacists to be agreed as judged by their peers as competent and credible founding members of a new accreditation scheme.
Criteria for accreditation will be agreed (e.g. assessment criteria, viva, how to proceed, establish a Board), UKPPG committee approval obtained and then launched. This is arguably well "ahead of the game" as far as Clinical Governance goes, but may form a pivotal role in the future of our professional speciality.
Anybody wishing to take part in this process, feed in views, thoughts or suggestions or just comment, please contact the Chairman David Taylor (Chief Pharmacist, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, Fax 0171-919-2337) or or Vice Chairman Stephen Bazire, Pharmacy Services Director, Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich NR6 5BE, Fax 01603-421365 or e-mail sbazire@ukppg.co.uk as soon as possible. The next working party meeting is on 29th March. (3.3.99)

UKPPG committee - the UKPPG committee met in Leicester on Friday 12th February, courtesy of James Bond and Novartis Pharmaceuticals. There was a full attendance by committee members. Items discussed included:

1999 conference - some speakers and workshop leaders are booked, Latimer visits to check on the AV equipment planned
2000 conference - alternative venues discussed
Education - Certificate, Diploma and MSc progress, 14th May study day
Industry sponsorship of the UKPPG, conference and other events
Treasurers report
AGM postal voting - it was not possible to introduce a full postal voting scheme this year, but an amendment to the constitution would be proposed to allow this from 2000
Clinical Governance (see below)
Bulletin - Board had met, Lynn Haygarth new Editor from the summer (see below)
RPSGB Mental Health Task Force (see below)
Activities survey - this was complete, and awaiting the printing to be completed before posting to all members as a separate mailing

(15.2.99)

UKPPG Bulletin - the "UKPPG Bulletin" Board met on 11th February 1999 in Leicester to review the last year and plan for the next year. The members of the Board are Stephen Bazire (Editor), Dr. Dave Branford, Lynn Haygarth and Morag Martin (UKPPG) and Gail Cavanagh, Sonya Perkins, Julie Hudson and John Applegate (Hayward Medical Communications). It was agreed by the UKPPG members that the new style, colour, 16 page Bulletin was excellent, well designed and printed, with quality commissioned articles and that it was now something of which the UKPPG could be proud. There had been some early predictable problems with production (particularly the July edition) but that the routine was now well established and future editions planned. Hayward Medical were thanked for their efforts, particularly Editorial Director Sonya Perkins, who had coped with staff changes at Hayward. Julie Hudson had now been recruited as sub-editor for the Bulletin. Stephen Bazire announced that, after ten years, he wished to stand down as Editor, mainly as in October he becomes Chairman and felt that he needed to free some time. Lynn Haygarth, who completes her MSc in the summer, volunteered to take over as Editor. The UKPPG members also thanked Pfizer for their support of the Bulletin, without which none of the developments would have been possible. (15.2.99)

UKPPG Education news - 26 people are now enrolled on the Aston University Certificate course. The first Distance Learning Module has been sent out and the course is underway. The Postgraduate Diploma is being prepared at moment, and should be available later in the year. For the next two years, Aston University will be able to accept entry to the Diploma via the De Montfort University Certificate, but after that will only allow the Aston University Certificate as an entry criteria. The reason is that the structure and content of the other certificate will not satisfy the Aston University Board. Progress on a research centred Masters Degree is advancing and may be at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, supervised by David Taylor, with designated Tutors from the Institute of Psychiatry. Entry could be through the Diploma. Such an MSc should produce high quality publishable clinical research. (15.2.99)

UKPPG Auditors - at the last AGM, it was suggested that the UKPPG should have independent audits of the accounts, to ensure transparency of dealings. Although not technically necessary, the UKPPGG is keen to be open, and would thus like to recruit a couple of volunteer auditors. They should be non-committee members (neither past nor present) and be willing to look at the final UKPPG accounts. An honorarium is available. Please contact Celia Feetam (e-mail 106076,1574@compuserve.com). (15.2.99)

UKPPG Conference 2000 - do you know of a good venue for the 2000 conference? The 1999 Conference is to be held at Latimer House again, but if it is unable to cope with numbers and facilities required, we may need a suitable alternative. Do you have any suggestions? If so, John Donoghue has the Conference specification and target price. Please suggest venues to John (e-mail john@donoghue.u-net.com), who can thus send the specification to them. It should be noted that few venues can match the facilities at the price offered by Latimer House, and so we may need consider raising the delegate fee for a different venue. (15.2.99)

UKPPG educational bursaries - UKPPG educational bursaries of Ł250 have been awarded for the Aston Certificate in Psychiatric Pharmacy to:

Margaret Nicholls (Hampshire)
William Graham (Northampton)
Helen Huck (Cumbria)
Lisa Bellis (Wrexham)
Susan Watts (Middlesex)

In addition, Lynn Haygarth (Leeds) has received a Bursary for an MEd study of the outcomes of the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy. The Group wishes them all the best of luck.
NB all bursary recipients (not just these good people) are reminded that it is good manners to at least acknowledge the receipt of such bursaries, something that in previous years has been conspicuous by it's absence. (SRB 15.2.99)

Mental Health Task Force. The RPSGB has set up a Mental Health Task Force, to advise the Society how it could facilitate the improved pharmaceutical care of people with mental health needs. The Chairman is Mr Hassan Argomandkhah (member of Council), with invited members Portia Omo-Bare (Pharmaceutical Adviser, East London &City HA), John Donoghue and Stephen Bazire (UKPPG), Clive Jackson (National Prescribing Centre), Margaret Edwards (SANE) and Prof. Robert Kerwin (Institute of Psychiatry). The first meeting will probably be in March or April, at which the terms of reference and aim of the group is to be formulated. All comments gratefully received by John (e-mail john@donoghue.u-net.com) and Stephen (e-mail sbazire@ukppg.co.uk). (SRB 15.2.99)

UKPPG patient information leaflets. Shameem Mir (Maudsley) was the only volunteer to co-ordinate and update the highly successful UKPPG patient information leaflets, and she it is who will carry out this task. Please send all comments and suggestions to Shameem Mir, Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ (SRB 15.2.99)

The "Case Studies in Psychopharmacology - the use of drugs in Psychiatry" book, edited by Carol Paton and David Taylor and to which many members of the UKPPG contributed case studies, was published in early October 1998, and was launched at the Conference at Latimer House. It is published by Martin Dunitz, The Livary House, 7-9, Pratt Street, London NW1 0AE, ISBN 1-85317-653-2, price Ł19.95. Pfizer UK have purchased some copies, so hassle your local Pfizer rep. for a copy! The second edition is already planned and is due for a November 2000 publication date. (SRB 15.2.99)

UKPPG Conference photos Does anyone have any photos of the Conference in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1996 or 1997? Or even better ones than the ones on the UKPPG History pages? I'd love to borrow and scan them if possible! Thanks, Stephen.

Researchers Wanted for weight gain study. Pfizer have agreed to fund a UKPPG-led project to investigate weight changes with atypical antipsychotics. The study will involve ten different centres, each recruiting at least twenty patients starting atypical antipsychotics. These patients will be followed-up for three months. Measures include weight, height, DAI (Drug Attitude Inventory) and LUNSERS.
We are looking for volunteers to lead this research in their own Trust. All volunteers will attend a training day in London and receive Ł1000 in recognition of their work on the trial.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn and develop research techniques under the guidance of two experienced researchers (David Taylor and John Donoghue).
Anybody interested should telephone Shameem Mir, project co-ordinator, on 0171 740 5026 before April 30th 1999 (3.2.99)

UKPPG Secretary Alan Pollard has a new job in Worcester, as Mental Health Directorate Pharmacist. His new address is Mental Health Directorate, Newtown Hospital, Newtown Road, Worcester WR5 1JG. He starts on 1.2.99. He has changed his e-mail address to: alanpollard@3willowdale.freeserve.co.uk as from now. (28.1.99)

John Hutton, the new Government Under Secretary for Health (taking over from Paul Boateng) met UKPPG Vice Chairman Stephen Bazire, Hemant Patel (RPSGB President), Ann Lewis (RPSGB Secretary and Registrar) and Portia Omo-Bare on Tuesday 19th January, to discuss the role of pharmacy in community mental health care. The delegation outlined a number of issues:

Psychotropics are of vital importance in mental health care
They are poorly used e.g. antidepressants (John Donoghue's data etc), antipsychotics (nursing home data), anxiolytics, mood stabilisers
There is a need to improve drug use, to help prevent unnecessary relapse
Community pharmacies have a widespread network and good general expertise but little specialist mental health knowledge
Several models will be put forward, one of which will be that primary care uses its strengths (ie network, easy access), secondary care will use its strengths (ie specialist expertise) and that the role of a secondary care or PCG employed/salaried mental health pharmacist be developed. This would include e.g. education and training of CPNs, community pharmacists, social workers etc, acting as a referral etc. Terms like "Pharmacy advocate", community psychiatric pharmacist etc could be used.

In the wide ranging discussion, many other aspects were discussed e.g. the opportunity still to contribute to the Mental health "National Service Framework", the difference between concordance and compliance, the possibility of community treatment orders under the Mental Health Act, the role pharmacists could have in helping the readmission reduction target rate, the need for leadership on drug use and the need for a consistent message about the role of drug therapy, the Liverpool Community Pharmacist project and many others.
Some strategies for futher development have been discussed and the RPSGB is to write to John Hutton after RPSGB Council has considered a paper put together by the president and Beverley parkin, on February 3rd.
(18.1.99)

CINP, 9th to 13th July, 2000 - after a first contact, the CINP Organizing Committee asks to receive our proposals for a PsychoPharmacy Symposium no later than January 31, 1999. To date, our projects are :

Drug Use Evaluation : Atypical Antipsychotics, an European Survey. Data* will be collected by Hospital Pharmacists in about ten european countries. (* : in/out patient, age, gender, DSM IV diagnosis, typical neuroleptics in recent past, type of atypical, doses, anticholinergics use, co-med)
Drug Use Evaluation : Hypnotics and Hypnotics like use among Elderly (European Survey).
Side Effects of Antipsychotics. (Belgian Study)
Long QT and Psychotropic drugs. (Belgian Survey)
Antipsychotics use in Netherland (NL survey)
Patient Information (French Inquiry)
Ziprasidone and weight loss (UK study)
U.S. Participation (L. Cohen ?)
Belgian Lecture (M. Vandenberghe ?)

The CINP Scientific Programme Committee will consider the propositions and decisions will be communicated by June 1999. Please, contact Fernand Mathot before January 15, 1999 if you wish to come or take part. All suggestions, precisions or new ideas for presentations are welcomed.

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