News

2001

CMHP. We understand four applicants have submitted portfolios for the CMHP, ready for late January. Brilliant stuff!
16.12.01

UKPPG PALs on CD-ROM. Please be advised that the CDs arrived at hellesdon on 6th December. Sadly there was a typing error on the label, so these have been relabelled now and should be posted the week commencing 16.12.01. it would have been the previous week but Pauline was off sick.
15.12.01

WEST LONDON MENTAL HEALTH TRUST - CHIEF PHARMACIST
West London Mental Health Trust provides a range of local and specialist psychiatry services to the local Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow. Pharmacy services are provided by Service Level Agreements with local host trust including Ealing, Charing Cross, West Middlesex and Ashford Hospitals. A range of secure services are provided at the Ealing site and at Broadmoor Hospital, which has an in-house pharmacy service.

CHIEF PHARMACIST - Grade G - G++ Salary £40,842 - £45,894 inclusive. (Entry point dependent on experience) Reference No. SP135
This new post, based in Trust Headquarters on the Ealing site, is designed to provide the pharmacy lead for the Trust in all aspects of pharmacy services and Medicines Management. In this role you will undertake an initial review of services in order to ensure that Clinical Pharmacy and Medicines Management in the trust meets modern standards of practice and are equitable across all sites. You will also be responsible for negotiating SLAs with the provider hospitals and for monitoring the level and quality of service provided. The Chief Pharmacist also acts as line manager for pharmacy staff at Broadmoor Hospital. You will need to have a minimum of 5 years experience in hospital practice including experience working in Mental Health. A post-graduate qualification in clinical/ pharmacy practice would be an advantage as would recognised management training. You will be expected to show an understanding of the implications of government modernisation initiatives for mental health and to show a genuine desire to help improve the lives of people with mental illness.

For further information please contact Ian Kent on 020 8354 8052. For information on pharmacy services contact the Chief Pharmacist of Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, Jack Lukeman on 020 8967 5511. Job description and application form please contact the Human Resources Dept., St. Bernard's Hospital, Uxbridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3EU or telephone 020 8354 8185 quoting your name , addres and refernce number. Closing date for receipt of applications; 4th January 2002
For a Job description, click here.
6.12.01

UKPPG PALs on CD-ROM. Please be advised that the CDs should be with us by 6/7.12.2001. Sory for the delays folks, partly caused by trying to get all the bugs out, and partly Graham Newton becoming a parent, thus taking up some of his spare time. If you want more than one for one site, please look up the new bulk rates.
4.12.01

Worthing & Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust D grade pharmacist, part time 20 hours/week.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part time pharmacist to provide a clinical service to a 48 bed, medium secure, mental health hospital for women. The unit has recently opened so this position gives an excellent opportunity for service development. Participation in clinical multidisciplinary team meetings/consultant ward rounds and staff education and training are essential aspects of the job and there is a team of excellent support staff at the base hospital. The trust is committed to CPD and there will be the opportunity for taking the Certificate or Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy. If you would like to discuss this position, please ring Charlotte Williams (Dispensary Manager) on 01273 446091 or Steve West (Head of Pharmacy) on 01903 205111 ext 5223. For an application form and Job Description please contact personnel at Worthing Hospital on 01903 285067.
4.12.01

Christmas in Australia - Have you ever considered a working holiday in Australia?
Linda Fellows is currently looking for a pharmacist experienced in mental health care to replace one of our clinical pharmacists for a minimum of 6 months from April 2002. Perth is a beautiful city nestled between the Indian Ocean and the Swan River. It enjoys a Mediterranean style of climate and is an ideal base for those who enjoy watersports. For those with more sedentary passions the world reknown wine area of Margaret River lies only 3 hours to the South. Graylands Health Care Services has 200 plus adult psychiatric beds, 48 psychogeriatric and also services a community mental health clinic and a number of other health department units. The pharmacy is fully computerised and each clinical pharmacist maintains patient medication profiles on their own notebook computer. There are 9 pharmacists and 6 pharmacy assistants. If anyone is interested in a break in the sun please contact me and we can look at the options.

Linda Fellows, Chief Pharmacist, Graylands Selby-Lemnos & Special Care Health Services, 08 9347 6678, 08 9384 4586 or linda.fellows @health.wa.gov.au/
4.12.01

Congratulations to Carol Paton - the Psychiatric Intensive Care book has won a 'highly commended' prize in the psychiatry category of the BMAs book competition. Further details (& pictures) on the BMAs website. Further details of the book at www.napicu.org.uk.
20.11.01

UKPPG committee meeting Friday 16th November 2001 - the new committee met in Huddersfield, courtesy of Janssen-Cilag, with some meeting the afternoon before as part of the Bulletin Board. Those present were Celia Feetam, Wendy Davies, Alan Pollard (handing over the secretarial reins to Wendy), Gill Hawksworth, Stephen Bazire, Morag Martin, Graham Newton, Graham Parton, Juliet Shepherd, Denny Humphries and Lynn Haygarth. Apologies were received from Siobhan Drummond. Many issues were discussed, and included:

Celia has now acceded to Chairman, Wendy Davies has become secretary and Graham Newton was elected Vice Chairman
- Conference 2001 was considered an intellectual, artistic and financial success. Feedback was excellent - some food issues, rest good or very good, workshops uniformly high feedback, IT to be further enhanced
- Conference 2002 - administrative issues, speakers and sessions, hotel services and AGM issues were discussed. The format for 2002 was constructed, with Friday afternoon as combination therapies and Sunday as the pharmaceutical issues around psychosocial models, with the Saturday to the same template as last year.
- PALs - these should be in production this week and posted out by the end of November. There will probably be bulk discounts available, and annual revisions will be available from January 2003, at a competitive rate
- Education:
  - Psychiatry one and two - in limbo (Celia and Dave Branford to lead)
  - Psychiatry 3 - plans for next year (lead Stephen Bazire)
  - Technicians - plan to run two next year (lead Wendy Davies)
  - Certificate - over 50 students started
  - 15 currently doing Diploma

18.11.01

Aston Diploma - We have received news that the following students sat the Aston University exam in October 2001 and have subsequently been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy.

Stuart Banham
Caroline Cahill
Michaela Cox
Ann Hyatt
Ann Jones
Katherine Jones
Catherine Mortimer
Jennifer Southern
Helen Tennant
Angela Tettersell

The Diploma is set at a high standard and so many congratulations to those students.
12.11.01

New resource for pharmacists working with people with dementia - a 40 page glossy booklet written by our very own Carole Ramsay (Pharmacy Dept, Ailsa Hospital, Ayr, 01292 513060) working with Karen Gurling, Joan Kelly from Lothian and Dr Rodriguez from Perth. It is now available from:

The Dementia Services Development Centre,
University of Stirling,
Stirling,
FK9 4LA
Tel:01786 467740
At a price of only £5.50!

(22.10.01)

Changes at the top - your webmaster is delighted to note that Celia Feetam is now Chairman of the UKPPG. She automatically becomes Chair after two years as Vice Chair. After the annual conference, we can reveal the interim Conference 2001 report and photographs, including Celia getting the Lifetime Achievement Award, and thoroughly deserved it was too. There is the new committee details, with new member Wendy Davies. We can introduce the UKPPG Patient Advice Leaflets on CD-ROM, at long last! There is College of Mental Health Pharmacists news and welcome the first CMHP full member Carol Paton. All of this is on the updated UKPPG history for anoraks page. More news will be coming along shortly, but after two years as Chairman, a full review of the website and update, I may need a few days rest, before starting on the next Bulletin for Lynn.....
21.10.01

Pharmacists asked to send examples of innovative practice to health minister (from PJ, 26 September 2001, page 419) The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health has asked pharmacists to send her examples of innovative practice to help her understand how the profession is responding to the challenges set out by the Government. Speaking at the British Pharmaceutical Conference banquet in Glasgow on 24 September, Hazel Blears said: “It is important for me to hear about the innovative things that pharmacists are doing, to help me understand practice as it really is, rather than just hearing dry Whitehall facts.” She was aware of several examples of innovative practice that had been developed by pharmacists who were keen to be at the forefront of changing the way they practised, and she had visited a number of such projects. There were undoubtedly more, and she wanted to hear from them. The National Health Service had been set ambitious targets by Government strategies that were aimed at providing a consistent level of health care throughout the United Kingdom. Pharmacists had to want to change, otherwise the Government would not be able to give them further opportunities.

Ms Blears said that the Government was committed to developing pharmacy as part of the modernisation of the NHS. Recent strategies had been backed by money and it was vital that this funding was translated into patient-centred improvements. “Pharmacies are uniquely placed in terms of being accessible to patients, so why haven’t we used you more?” she asked. Pharmacies were not intimidating to members of the public; pharmacists talked to patients not at them. This was a big asset that the profession should capitalise on and should be used as an example to other health care professionals in the NHS. Ms Blears said that it was ironic that pharmacists often taught nurses how to prescribe but were not allowed to prescribe themselves. Prescribing by pharmacists in the future was an exciting project and would focus the profession on helping patients to get the most from their medicines. The balance of power in the NHS was to be shifted to primary care trusts, which would also give pharmacists opportunities to explore ways of doing things differently.

Her address is Hazel Blears, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Richmond House, 79, Whitehall, London SW1. Please send her mental health examples! 29.9.01

Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust - vacant post
Clinical Directorate Pharmacist and Dispensary Manager - Sutton Site & Mental Health Services

Grade C / D (depending on experience) - EDC optional
Salary range £23,084 - £30,094 pa with the potential to earn up to £34,677 through Personal Development Review

An enthusiastic and highly motivated pharmacist is required to join our well integrated and highly regarded team based at Sutton Hospital. We provide a service to the Eye Unit, District Day Surgery Unit, Out-patients clinics (most clinical specialities) and the Mental Health Services Unit. You will have the opp ortunity to manage the dispensary and as the directorate pharmacist:

Participate in multi-disciplinary ward rounds/case conferences
Be involved in patient counseling
Provide medicines information
Study for the Certificate/Diploma in Psychiatric or Clinical Pharmacy

If you have good organisational and interpersonal skills and are interested in developing your clinical skills in mental health we would like to hear from you. For informal inquiries please contact Nurjehan Moledina, Lead Pharmacist, Sutton Site & Mental Health Services on 0208 296 4388 or 0208 296 2000 Bleep 611. Application packs are available from the recruitment team by telephoning 07626 915501 or 917501 (local charge) quoting job ref no: MW/CO/08, your name and address.

Closing date 12.10.01.

Congratulations to UKPPG member Helen Wood (and husband Nigel) - Zoe Megan born on 1.9.01 in Wolverhampton (info via PJ 15.9.01).
14.9.01

CMHP - the College of Mental Health Pharmacists Founders Board met on Monday 10th September 2001 in Leicester, attended by David Taylor, Stephen Bazire, Dave Branford, Sylvia Otter and John Donoghue (with apologies from Trudi Hilton). Many matters were discussed, including:

Feedback from Trent pharmacists group
Dave Branford reported on portfolio submissions
DT reported on discussions with specialist interest groups within pharmacy (e.g. medicines information, cancer, renal etc) and it seems that CMHP is breaking new ground, with other groups wanting to go down the route of specialist accreditation as well. It may be that we will be able to work together with the other groups in the future to have a similar set-up. Some options were discussed.
The next plans for CMHP include:
The first viva's will be held starting at 3pm on Thursday 4th October 2001 at Wokefield, pre UKPPG Conference.
Presentation after UKPPG AGM on Friday 5th October, followed by availability of Board in the tram in the street afterwards

11.9.01

UKPPG committee meeting on Friday 7th September 2001 was held at Lundbecks HQ in Milton Keynes, so thanks to Lundbeck and Melody for the facilities and support. Members present were Celia Feetam, Peter Pratt, Stephen Bazire, Juliet Shepherd (check spelling) Siobhan Drummond and Alan Pollard. Appologies had been received from Graham Parton (holiday), Graham Newton (family), Morag Martin (illness), Lynn Haygarth (error), Denny Humphries (refused leave), Diane Booth (health). Items discussed included:

Bulletin - the September edition is ready, and Stephen will manage the December edition for Lynn. A letter reagrding a conference report on the last edition was discussed and will be reported on
Alan reported that Wendy davies had been elected to the committee, Celia, Steve and Morag had been re-elected, and that this left one vacant space. Celia will have the option of co-opting a member to the committee from October,
The AstraZeneca award has been won, but in Grahams absence, we cannot report the winners name.
The PALs (previously known as the PILs) are at last approaching completion. SB had worked on them through August and the 27 sheets went to Sergei XXXXXXX for conversion to CD-ROM on 20th August. It is hoped that at the very least a working prototype will be available at the conference. GN had been working on the index and associated paperwork. This has taken a long time to get together but the committee again felt that it was better to get it right(ish) rather than rush out anything sub-standard.
Conference 2001:
- Denny had reported that 180 full delegates (excluding committee and speakers) had been registered to date, and that we had asked Wokefield to try to release some more rooms (so if you haven't booked yet, there may be some more spaces available)
- Celia reported that negotiations on the venue had progressed well, and that most things were now sorted
- Lilly, Lundbeck and AstraZeneca had been confirmed as main sponsors
- The programme was finalised. Three people had dropped out in the last month. One workshop leader had been reinstated, a new chairman for Sunday booked, but there was still some doubt about some sessions on the Saturday morning.
One AGM motion had been received
Education - It was noted that we currently have a wide range of levels of educational strategy:
- Technicans
- Psychiatry 1
- Psychiatry 2
- Certificate
- Diploma
- MSc
- CMHP accreditation support
Celia will lead a discussion about education at the AGM, as to the directions that our strategies should be heading and what developments or changes in direction (if any) need to be made.
CMHP accreditation seminars will be run next year
Clinical standards document - Siobhan had been continuing the development of the standards, and presented a close to final draft. Comments and suggestions had been sought and received, with an excitingly high input from Scotland. A final draft will be prepared for the November committe meeting. Anybody who wished to help or see these before final approval is warmly invited to contact Siobhan Drummond, e-mail SiobhanDd@chelwest.nhs.uk)
PR strategy - CF lead the discussion on PR, which will become a major target over the next few years. The group agreed with Celia that the priorities should be:
- 1. Corporate address and contact phone point
- 2. Sponsorship strategy
- 3. Improved aims and objectives
- 4. Improved membership pack
- 5. Media strategy
- 6. Media training
CF will lead on this over the next few months
NICE - the schizophrenia submission had been made, but despite being e-mailed and sent as a hard copy. NICE had lost it.
Conference 2002 - the date for next was set as 11th to 13th October (note that this is a weekend later than usual, to avoid a clash with ECNP in Barcelona the previous weekend, which would potentially lead to a problem with speakers, sponsors etc).
Jenny Scott (Bath University) and Celia Feetam are to be representatives on the National Womens Mental Health Strategy (England) Consultation later in 2001.
This was Alan and Peter's last offical meetings as co-opted secretary and elected member respectively, and were warmly thanked for their very different but essential and dedicated input to the committee over the last few years and longer.

9.9.01

Camden and Islington - Two posts have been advertised in this weeks Pharmaceutical Journal, www.pharmj.com ,is anyone is interested. One is a C grade/MTO4 and the other is a D grade psychiatry specialist post. Details are on the website. If anyone is interested further details can be obtained from Lee Furniss, Chief Pharmacist on 020 8219 1885.
13.8.01

College of Mental Health Pharmacists - the first application has been received, and that candidate should be eligible for a viva in October.
13.8.01

EPPN (European Pharmacists for Psychiatry and Neurology) have now got their own website,

NORTH WEST LONDON HOSPITALS NHS TRUST - CENTRAL MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL, PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
PRINCIPAL PHARMACIST - MENTAL HEALTH, Grade D/E with optional EDC, £29 242 - £37 918 pa inclusive (depending on experience)
We are looking for an enthusiastic pharmacist with a keen interest in Mental Health to manage the services on the Park Royal site of the Brent, Kensington, Chelsea, and Westminster Mental Health Trust. Based at Central Middlesex Hospital, this 160 bedded unit provides a comprehensive range of psychiatric services, including a high dependency unit, and mother and baby services.

The post holder will be responsible for implementing the Trust's newly defined clinical pharmacy standards, liase with Directorate leads regarding drug expenditure, and become involved in clinical audit and clinical governance issues. You will manage an expanding team of junior staff and become involved in training pharmacists during their clinical rotation.

Extensive experience in hospital is desirable. Additional training is available both locally and regionally, including the opportunity to do the Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy. We encourage staff to continue their professional development using a personal portfolio.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Debbie White, Principal Pharmacist on 020 8453 2559. Accommodation can be arranged.
For an application form and job description please contact the Human Resources Department, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3UJ.. Tel; 020 8869 2184 (24 hour answerphone) quoting the appropriate reference. CEO022P Closing date: 17 August 2001
(9.8.01)

Gill Hawksworth, committee member, has won another award. In July 2001 her pharmacy won an NHS Champion of the Year award for the good service they provide to the local community (Pharm J 2001, 267, 8).
7.7.01

KINGSTON HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - SENIOR PHARMACIST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GRADE D
Based at TOLWORTH HOSPITAL, Hours - 39 per week, Salary scale as Whitley Council (no EDC)

Be part of a small team of pharmacists and technicians dedicated to providing an innovative, clinically orientated service to Tolworth Hospital and associated units. Pharmacist involvement in multidisciplinary teams is well established. The opportunity has arisen for an experienced pharmacist to develop the local pharmaceutical service to meet the objectives detailed in the NSF for Mental Health. Opportunities exist to study for post-graduate qualifications.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Jenny De Vere, Principal Pharmacist, Tolworth Hospital Tel: 020 8390 0102 Ext. 5012
Application pack from: Gill Barnes, Pharmacy Secretary, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust Tel: 020 8546 7711 Ext. 2385
Closing Date: 15th July, 2001
27.6.01

UKPPG committee meeting was held on Friday 15th June 2001 in Coventry, courtesy of Lilly (pre-Lilly conference). Those members present were Stephen Bazire, Peter Pratt, Siobhan Drummond, Alan Pollard, Morag Martin, Celia Feetam, Juliet Shepherd, Graham Parton and Denny Humphries (with apologies from Lynn Haygarth, Graham Newton, David Taylor, Diane Booth, Gill Hawksworth). Issues considered were:

PALs - three quotations were considered and with some qualifications one was chosen. We will hope to get the leaflets on CD-ROM ready for marketing in October 2001
Finance - bursaries were awarded to Rachel Calton and Elizabeth Garner
Conference - there continue to be some communication glitches with the venue but Celia should be able to sort this out
- The programme is now almost complete and the final glossy mailing should be out within a few weeks. There are about 50 delegates confirmed already
- As usual there are no oral presentations nor posters booked yet, so if you know of someone who has done some work and could present it, please either let us know (anonymously if necessary) or pressurise them yourself
- Sponsorship has been confirmed from Lilly Psychiatry, Astra Zeneca and Lundbeck, so thanks to them
- If anyone has any ideas for an alternative venue, please let us know in case we need one for next year
Educational initiatives continue successfully e.g. psychiatry 2 ran last weekend, with 35 delegates. There are 50 students doing the Certificate and 30 doing the Diploma. The next certificate intake is in October 2001.
CMHP mailing launch due in week 18.6.01
Siobhan produced a second draft of the proposed updating of the clinical pharmacy standards document (Chairman's note - the best-presented draft I've ever seen). The committee will be looking at these over the next month ready to consider a third draft in September. If you have any requests, desires etc, please contract Siobhan
Celia was thanked for managing to produce our NICE submission, with help from John Donoghue
Peter Pratt has agreed to lead the depression guidelines to NICE
PR strategy - a quote was considered, based on a brain-storming session last year. Whilst the whole quote was over £100K (!), it was itemised and so various parts can be considered. Media training and information pack were considered as a first priority as part of a wider PR strategy. A central telephone contact point is also on the agenda.
The committee membership postal voting will occur in the summer, so stand now, or get someone else to stand
AGM motions to the secretary please
Few members have taken up the standing order option for membership, which is a bit frustrating, Celia has only done this in response to members requests. If you haven't done this yet, please get your act together!

(18.6.01)

Gill Hawksworth (UKPPG committee) has been elected Vice-President of the RPSGB. Now there's an interesting bit of news, the like of which we've never been able to report before! As the PJ put it:

"The Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has elected Marshall Davies to succeed Christine Glover as President of the Society. Gill Hawksworth follows Mr Davies into the role of Vice-President and David Allen has been re-elected Treasurer. The election took place at a meeting of the Council on June 6. In the election of the President. Mr Davies was the sole candidate. In the election of the Vice-President there were two other candidates, Alan Nathan and Ashwin Tanna. In a first ballot, Dr Hawksworth gained 11 votes, Mr Nathan seven and Mr Tanna four. Because no candidate had more than half the votes, the two candidates with the highest number of votes went forward to a second election, which Dr Hawksworth won by 12 votes to Mr Nathan’s 10.
12.6.01

Pharmacist and technician posts in Norwich
Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust has several posts available:

A full-time, ward-based clinical pharmacist for adult psychiatry
A part-time forensic pharmacist for the Norvic clinic
Pharmacists for supervised methadone consumption (0.6wte, but we'll consider any combination of days, job share, part-time etc)
Full time MTO2 (funded from supervised consumption)

For more details, see the PJ for 1.6.01, or visit the Hellesdon Pharmacy website.
11.6.01

Clinical Pharmacist - Blackberry Hill Hospital Bristol, North Bristol NHS Trust
Grade - C + EDC (option)
We are looking for a highly motivated pharmacist to join our enthusiastic and friendly team at Blackberry Hill caring for older patients and clients with mental health needs. You will be an enthusiastic pharmacist who will help develop and expand our clinical service. The particular responsibilities of this post include clinical commitment to wards, supervision of clinical trials in alzheimers and respiratory diseases and further developing the provision of pharmaceutical care and medicines management. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to study for the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy by Distance Learning from Aston University. If you were considering a move from community pharmacy to hospital practice we would be pleased to hear from you.
Job share and part time applications considered. Family friendly hours are negotiable. Closing Date: 29 June 2001
For further information or informal discussion contact Graham Parton on 0117 9754860

Pharmacy Technician - Blackberry Hill Hospital Bristol, North Bristol NHS Trust Fixed Term Contract (due to Maternity Leave) - 6 Months (with possibility of extension). Grade - MTO1/2

We require a qualified pharmacy technician to join our enthusiastic and friendly team at Blackberry Hill Hospital caring for older patients and clients with mental health needs. You will be responsible for top-up services to several wards, ensuring that essential medicines are always available for your patients, procurement and dispensary duties. The roles and responsibility of technicians are currently being reviewed and developed in line with the NHS Plan for Pharmacy. We will consider student technicians due to qualify in Summer 2001 and those who wish to move from community to hospital practice. Applicants must have a BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent qualification. Job share and part time applications considered. Family friendly hours are negotiable. Closing Date: 29 June 2001

For further information or informal discussion contact Graham Parton on 0117 9754860
11.6.01

Appeals
Request from Janet Davis for:

examples of both inpatient and out patient prescription charts
rapid tranquillisation policy now that droperidol has been withdrawn

Please send the above items to me at Pharmacy department, St Ann's Hospital, St Ann's Rd, London N15 6DP
8.6.01

PRINCIPAL PHARMACIST FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND OPERATIONAL SERVICES TO THE PRIMARY CARE TRUST (York) E+2 (+EDC)
This is a challenging opportunity for an enthusiastic and innovative person to lead and develop specialist services to a large mental health sector and operational pharmacy services to those former trust units that have transferred to the Selby and York Primary Care Trust. You will manage services to over 750 beds including 100 acute mental health beds, 2 cottage hospitals, a hospice and a PLD sector as well as to other primary care based services.

You will provide an exemplary modern service, ensure effective medicines management and meet targets relating to national service frameworks. As a member of the pharmacy management team you will contribute to the development of clinical governance, CPD and general management of the pharmacy service. You should have at least four years mental health experience at a senior level with good evidence of achievement as well as excellent networking management and clinical skills. Your vision of the future of the above services will be the key to the success of this post.

Contact Stephen Athey or current post holder Jim Begley Tel. No. 01904 453052, or Chris Adams 01904 453052.
Closing date 14th June 2001

CAPITAL COAST HEALTH LTD - Pharmacy Service, mental health Pharmacist NO LONGER wanted.
This post has been filled (news reached us May 2002)
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand with thriving café and cultural activity. Wellington is located centrally for convenient travel within New Zealand. More information regarding Capital & Coast Health can be found by visiting www.wnhealth.co.nz and information on the Wellington region can be found by visiting www.wcc.govt.nz.

Capital & Coast Health is comprised of three teaching hospitals with a total of 750 beds, providing secondary and tertiary level services to the greater Wellington region. The Pharmacy provides clinical and support services including clinical ward pharmacy, medicines information, DUE programme, formulary and prescribing guide-lines (Preferred Medicines List), aseptic production, cytotoxic preparation and pharmaceutical purchasing.

Mental Health Pharmacist
This is an autonomous role, responsible for providing a clinical pharmacy service to a range of Mental Health wards including acute, rehabilitation and forensic psychiatry. As a well-respected member of the multi-disciplinary team you will have valuable input into patient care. The role involves the development of treatment policy and protocols, patient and staff education, and service development. The Pharmacy recognises the importance of continuing education and actively supports further training and conference attendance. Furthermore, the Pharmacy will provide ongoing support in terms of a mentorship programme from experienced Mental Health Pharmacists. Previous experience in providing a clinical service to Mental Health services is essential.

For a copy of the job description and application form, please contact Tina Moran on email tina.moran@wnhealth.co.nz or phone ++64 4 385 5354. For further information please contact Denise Tai on email denise.tai@wnhealth.co.nz or Julie Yee on julie.yee@wnhealth.co.nz or phone on the above telephone number.
Applications close: 6 July 2001.
29.5.01

Rosemary Mitchell (e-mail Rosemary.Mitchell@suht.swest.nhs.uk) has two requests:

I would like to hear from pharmacists about the actual drug administration practice on their Adult Mental Health Wards (Acute). The current practice on our wards involves patients queueing at Medicine Rounds to receive their doses. My concern is around confidentiality, intimidation and the institutional approach. All thoughts welcomed.
Does anyone have any Patient Information Leaflets aimed at People with Learning Disabilities?

Ross Mitchell, Pharmaceutical Advisor, Southampton Community Health Services Trust
20.5.01

College of Mental Health Pharmacists - the Board met in Leicester on 30th April. Everything appears in place for a launch to members within the next few weeks, and launch to the wider NHS a few weeks afterwards. Consultation from the Anglian and Oxford and the North-West regional pharmacists groups was discussed, as was the meeting with the Guild from the weekend school in April. Remaining tasks include getting the PO Box operational, finalising the competencies, flow-chart and portfolio contents, printing and then posting the promotional brochure.
1.5.01

Job available NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL, WAITEMATA HEALTH - PHARMACIST - MENTAL HEALTH
This is a great opportunity to join a team of Mental Health pharmacists working in a multidisciplinary environment providing innovative care to psychiatric patients, both in the acute setting and in the community. The key requirements for this position are an enthusiasm and interest in Mental Health, a desire to take advantage of the learning opportunities that this position provides, and communication skills.
Job synopsis:

Participation in multidisciplinary management of patients
Medication reviews
Provision of drug information
Supervision of clozapine monitoring programme
Clinical research
Communicating information to other health professionals and Mental Health consumers
Professional development focus and clinical supervision
Work closely with the three other Mental Health pharmacists in the team
Work towards gaining the Diploma or Certificate in Psychiatric Pharmacy (UKPPG)

Further information on an informal basis may be obtained by ringing Amanda Wheeler (Ph 025 599 367) or Emma Gibson (09-486 1491 Ext 3006) and by E-mail (wheelera@whl.co.nz or gibsone@whl.co.nz ). Applications should be made by to Sue Behrens, Human Resources, Waitemata Health Ph 00 64 (0) 9 486 1491 ext Ext 2869 E-mail (behrenss@whl.co.nz) or mobile number 00 64 (0) 25 599 367.
19.3.01

UKPPG committee meeting Your committee met on Friday 16th March 2001, at Pfizer's regional Office in Birmingham. Among the items discussed were:

PALs (Patient Advice Leaflets) - These are now almost complete, and the IT brief has been virtually completed. The timetable is now that we should have tenders out by 1.4.01 and returned by 20.4.01, with a decision made by 1.5.01. Provided an acceptable tender is agreed, production of the CD-ROM (or other format) should be available some time soon after that. There is a need for someone to take ownership of the leaflet project after this, and volunteers (not necessarily committee) are needed (interested? A brief will be prepared and an honorarium payable).
The first-ever Annual report had gone out, with little reaction
Treasurers report:
UKPPG finances are in a well managed state at the present and allow the group to move forward with its aims and objectives. Most members should have had the opportunity to be on a standing order for membership by the end of June. Funding for the CMHP for next year has been agreed. A set of bursary guidelines has been agreed, and these will be posted on the website and be available from the Treasurer within the next few weeks.
UKPPG Bulletin - The Bulletin had an edition that came out on time this week, the first for many a long year. Copy date for the next edition is 17th April. Sponsorship of the Bulletin remains an issue, and Lynn is making efforts to attract sponsorship and support. A new "department profile" series will start in the next edition.
Conference 2001 - conference details are now being finalised, so consult the diary.html for the latest update. The programme looks exciting, with a rare mix of the challenging, futuristic, practical, stimulating and entertaining.
Educational matters:
Postgraduate news. The next Postgraduate Certificate intake is in October 2001. Currently there are 47 students on the course, including many from across the world. The next Diploma intake will be April 2001, with 12 currently enrolled. It is not too late to join so if you wish, please register as soon as possible. The news on the MSc is mixed, with a technicality possibly causing a problem with the Institute of Psychiatry running an MSc, but David Taylor continues to pursue this. An option is an MPhil, leading to a PhD. Regardless, a pharmacy course of some type is being pursued by both parties.
Psychiatry 1 was run in February, to great critical acclaim by the participants. Psychiatry 2 is planned for 8-10th June 2001, probably in Birmingham. The plan for Psychiatry 3 is developing, but unfortunately the CMHP launch and issues such as NICE and the conference have had to take priority, although assistance from outside the committee would be welcome on this front. "Psychiatry for technicians" ran in March and was again a great success, so congratulations to Celia, Diane Booth and Wendy Davies. A repeat has been requested, and will be run, probably in June or September. There was some debate as to whether this type of training day was something the UKPPG should be running, with concerns that it might distract us from our wider aims, and this may need discussing at the AGM
The CMHP was reported on by David Taylor (see report below for details).
The NICE submission on atypicals for schizophrenia is needed from the UKPPG. A number of people have offered to take part, and a working party will be convened soon to work on this. If you wish to input, please let me know as soon as possible.
e-mail group - although there was delight at the progress of the group, it appears that some people are members without being UKPPG members, taking the view that joining the UKPPG was unnecessary, as they could get everything they wanted without paying the $10. Whilst committee members thought this sad, there was some debate as to whether the e-mail group should be UKPPG members only. What do you think?

(18.3.01)

UKPPG e-mail discussion group. The group is now a year old and moderator Graham Parton has sent out a first anniversary message, as follows:

The YahooGroup for the UKPPG is a little over a year old. There are over 120 people subscribing, most of whom (103) are members of the UKPPG, 14 are guests of the UKPPG, including 4 from overseas. Some other subscribers may think they are members of the UKPPG but do not turn up on my current roster!
We have mainly UK pharmacists, students but also overseas pharmacists and a Canadian clinical psychopharmacist (Hi Josee!).

We have a few "corporate" addresses to which several UKPPG members have access. Hopefully as the IT revolution spreads across the UK the number of members taking advantage of this forum will increase.

We are getting through over 100 messages a month with peak months being close to 200 on a variety of topics. We have seen rapid alerts about the discontinuation of medicines in the UK and discussion about the introduction of new agents. References have been swopped and documents such as formularies and policies have been posted.

Regrettably not everyone is equally active in the group. Those of us who lurk I'm sure have something worthwhile to contribute. Do contribute, especially those of you outside the UK. Don't worry, you are amongst friends and your contribution will be valued. Make it as informal (but polite and appropriate) as you like.

Remember that only those individuals who are subscribers of this YahooGroup can post to it and every subscriber has had the moderators' approval prior to joining. I do correspond with individuals who may overstep the mark with any inappropriate postings.

Some of you will have received emails from me recently to help me ensure I've got sufficient information about the subscribers to this YahooGroup and to check that it is still relevant to the individuals concerned. If you have not responded - please do so as soon as possible otherwise I may assume that YOUR email address is no longer valid and unsubscribe you!

Year One of this group has been a success and with your input this group will continue to be of benefit to all subscribers in the future!
Graham Parton, Moderator.

PS If you need to contact me you can do so at: UKPPG-owner@yahoogroups.com

14.3.01

College of Mental Health Pharmacists. The Founders met in Luton on Monday 12th March. Some points include:

Evelyn McPhail has stood down as a Founder
Sylvia Otter has replaced Evelyn and taken over as Treasurer
By the end of March, the competencies will have been finalised, administrators role clarified, promotional brochure completed and letters agreed. The competencies and portfolio are currently being consolidated to reduce dulpication.
During April, some Founders will meet with the Guild of Health-Care pharmacists and with some local groups, followed by a final pre-launch CMHP meeting on 30th April.
The launch will be to members in early May, with a mailing of the brochure, competencies and PJ article. The website will have all items on it for downloading e.g. portfolio, application form, flow-chart of process, competencies, sample vignettes and how to proceed.
1st August will be the closing date for the first vivas, to be held on Thursday 4th October 2001 before the UKPPG Annual Conference

More news in early May.
12.3.01

Pharmacists prescribing - the full text of the BMA Press Release calling on pharmacists to take on responsibility for their prescribing can be found at web.bma.org.uk, and follow the Public Access pathway.
7.3.01

Job available Cejka & Company are looking for a highly specialized pharmacist with a background in psychopharmacology and managed care experience. This newly created high level position is with Cigna HealthCare. Below is a summary of the job profile for your review. Please contact them if you know of anyone who may be interested in this great opportunity (Terry Spink, Cejka & Company, 800-209-8143 x3482, e-mail TSPINK@cejka.com). The position plays a key role in the development of clinical pharmacy programs related to behavioral care that enhance CIGNA's behavioral/pharmacy/medical/ integration goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops and maintains effective working relationships between CBH clinical leadership, CIGNA Pharmacy Management, and CIGNA Medical Management
Interprets published medical literature and practice patterns in medical and pharmaceutical care to identify opportunities that advance CIGNA's proof statements on the value of behavioral/medical/pharmacy integration.
Develops turn-key programs that demonstrate the value of behavioral-pharmacy integration with CBH, Intracorp (Integrated PPO Management) and/or external vendor input.
Develops and implements clinical rules for pharmacy utilization management programs such as prior authorization, quantity, therapy over time, prerequisite/preclusive edits.
Creates and maintains all clinical rules for PSO exception-based protocols.
Develops and applies processes to assure that CIGNA keeps abreast of emerging clinical developments that may impact program performance, applying findings to continuously improve existing strategies.
Identifies and maintains appropriate clinical, evidence-based documentation that supports all programs.
Monitors results of all behavioral health programs and revises programs as needed.
Serves as integration champion and clinical pharmacy expert on assigned behavioral health disease management and project teams.
Develops and distributes evidence-based supporting materials (proof statements) to field personnel (pharmacists, physicians, and provider relations professionals) to be used in retrospective UM and clinical improvement programs.
Assures national alignment of clinical intervention strategies that maximize HEDIS score improvement and support NCQA accreditation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Licensed pharmacist
Degree in pharmacy practice, advanced clinical degree (PharmD. or clinically-oriented masters degree) required
Advanced clinical specialty training (residency or fellowship) in behavioral health preferred
3-5 years experience in clinical practice
Managed care experience preferred
Strong influence skills required. Ability to work in a matrix environment

NICE work.
Your Chairman registered the UKPPG as a stakeholder for the NICE guidelines on schizophrenia (having been tipped off by Carol Paton as to how to do this) and I have now received a letter from NICE asking us if we would like to make a submission to the "Health Technologies Appraisal on Newer Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs for schizophrenia". We have until 1st June to make our submission, which must be no longer than 30 pages. Appendix D from the NICE letter states the "List of Consultees invited to submit" and names eight manufacturers, nine patient groups and twelve Professional groups (RCPsych, BAP, Institute, Sainsbury centre, Brit Psychological Society, RCGP, RCN Institute, RPSGB, Pharmaceutical Schizophrenia Intiative, BAPsychotherapists, CPNA and ... UKPPG).

I have circulated all the details I have to committee and CMHP Board - anyone else who should be approached or would like to help? Such a submission to NICE will need to be well structured and argued. I have suggested to the committe that this will need a small working party to draft up the executive summary and main points from the submission, with then the development done by e-mail and at committee. My initial suggestion is a sub-group meeting in early/mid-March to get the skeleton together, then circulate for additions, then again meet in mid-May, ready to submit by 31st May. Do I have volunteers for this please? Do you wish to see the submission at any point? If so, please let me know asap.
7.2.01

UKPPG committee: - the UKPPG committee met in Worcester on Friday 23th January 2001. Amongst the many items discussed were:

Mentorship scheme – this is progressing slowly, with four people currently in the scheme. Further development will occur in tandem with the CMHP
UKPPG information leaflets – these are at last beginning to make progress again. The pages are nearly ready, although the IT options will still take a little time.
The (first) UKPPG annual report covering October 1999 to October 2000 is now complete and will be printed and circulated to members within the next month or so.
Financial report – Morag was ill and unable to attend, but we understand there are no changes
Postal voting – the first process was reviewed, and a timetable set for the next election. We will try to include photographs next time. There are five members whose three years are up (Diane Booth, Peter Pratt, Stephen Bazire, Morag Martin, Celia Feetam), some of whom may stand for re-election. Speaking as current chairman, on all our behalves I rather hope Celia and Morag do, as Chairman elect and current treasurer!
Conference 2001 was discussed in detail, so please see the diary page for the latest details, including draft programme etc. Speakers have been lined up, but we won’t put them on the site until they have been confirmed.
College of Mental Health Pharmacists – this was updated by David Taylor. The founders (well, Trudi, Dave B, David T) and Stephen Bazire had met in Luton on Monday 8th January. The competencies had been virtually finalised, whether they were portfolio or viva assessment, the portfolio format almost complete, and the viva vignettes well developed. The current plan is to publish the competencies list, and a portfolio application. This would be completed and submitted to the Registrar Dr. Dave Branford. The viva would consist of two parts. Initially, the candidate would be given five case vignettes and allowed half and hour to read and gather their thoughts. Discussion around these would then form the first part of the viva. The second half would revolve around the portfolio and items within these, allowing discussion about the issues raised.
Educational programme:
- Psychiatry one and two are planned for later in the year.
- Psychiatry for technicians is booked for 6th March, with probably a second one not soon afterwards if the first is over-subscribed. Tutors on the first will be Celia Feetam, Wendy Davies and Diane Booth, talking on bipolar, psychosis and depression respectively. There will be sessions on counselling etc. The day has been generously supported by AstraZeneca.
- Postgraduate Certificate: 27 students have recently passed the Certificate, with 7 reaching the standard for a distinction (were Aston to award them for Certificates). The non-UK candidates all did particularly well.
- MSc – David Taylor reported that this may be going for accreditation at the end of January, in which case it would be ready to take students in October.
- The AstraZeneca award is to be awarded again this year – see travel-award
RPSGB Council elections - the Secretary will be writing to RPSGB Council candidate to ask them three questions about mental health, psychiatry and pharmacists. We will then be posting these answers on the website for you to make your own decisions about who you might like to vote for, who would be most likely to have some understanding of mental health issues and would be more likely to help direct the RPSGB in the right direction.
UKPPG Bulletin – sorry it’s late again, a problem with the printers this time we are told. It was completed at the beginning of December. The Bulletin Board met in December and has set a plan for the Bulletin over the next few years.
Business plan update – the committee reviewed progress, which seems to be going well
Clinical Standards - Siobhan Drummond is leading a working party on the review of these. An introduction has been agreed and there was a healthy debate as to what such standards shound include and how worded. If YOU have any thoughts, ideas or needs for these, please contact Siobhan
Website – some problems were being experienced at the moment, so if the www.ukppg.org site does not work in the near future, please also try the old www.ukppg.co.uk or possibly in the future www.ukppg.org.uk. We apologise for these problems, which are out of our control.
QT intervals – there was an informal discussion about possible proposed statements. The important thing to remember was that all treatments should be individualised. There is no direct replacement for all prescriptions for thioridazine. Any replacement (and remember, "nothing" can be a replacement) should be

13.1.01

The UKPPG is proud to announce the Continuation of the annual AstraZeneca/UKPPG travel award. This prestigious award has been made possible by the generosity of AstraZeneca and is administered by the UKPPG. The award is made annually for clinical or practice research in psychiatric pharmacy. Applicants must be members of the UKPPG but do not need to be specialists in psychiatry. For details see travel-award.
13.1.01

College of Mental Health Pharmacists. The founders and Stephen Bazire met in Luton on Monday 8th January. The competencies have been virtually finalised, whether they were portfolio or viva assessment, the portfolio format almost complete, and the viva vignettes well developed. The current plan is to publish the competencies list, and a portfolio application. This would be completed and submitted to the Registrar Dr. Dave Branford. The viva would consist of two parts. Initially, the candidate would be given five case vignettes and allowed half and hour to read and gather their thoughts. Discussion around these would then form the first part of the viva. The second half would revolve around the portfolio and items within these, allowing discussion about the issues raised. Vivas are planned for July (Aston University), 4th october (UKPPG Conference), December (Maudsley) and February (Scotland/north-east England).
13.1.01