News

2002

14.3.02 - Birmingham Childrens Hospital new mental health technician post:
Would you like to work in a rewarding, friendly environment? Are you looking for continuing career progression? Due to the continuing and successful development of our pharmacy technician service we now have an opportunity for enthusiastic and self motivated Pharmacy Technicians to join us here at Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust. We are currently implementing full medicines management services and have clinically based technicians working with children and carers on the wards and in out-patient clinics. We are looking for the right candidates who have the drive and ambition to take a high quality service to new, innovative levels and become nationally recognised as service leaders. No paediatric experience is necessary for either post as full training will be given. Initial grading will depend on experience but a competency based training process will allow you to achieve grade enhancements.

MTO2/2+++ Unlicensed and Named-Patient Medicines: To manage the use of unlicensed and named patient medicines and develop risk management, patient counselling and information initiatives. You will be supported in this role by our Formulary Pharmacist and Senior Technician Medicines Management. You will also have a ward based role for a specialty.

MTO2/2+++ Child and Adolescent Mental Health: This is a unique and challenging role developing full medicines management services to our Child and Adolescent Mental Health in-patient ward and off-site residential facility. Working with two senior Pharmacists you will work closely with medical and nursing staff in a rewarding clinical environment. We are committed to developing extended roles for Pharmacy Technicians and encourage your ideas and enthusiasm to make this happen.
Further career enhancement is possible for suitably motivated individuals.For further information about these posts, the Trust's Pharmacy Service and future developments or to arrange an informal visit please call Cathy Moseley, Chief Pharmacy Technician on 0121-333-9780 or Marie Slimm, Medicines Management Technician on 0121-333-9773 or email cathy.moseley@bhamchildrens.wmids.nhs.uk.

Vacant posts: Senior Pharmacists (Mental Health) TWO POSTS
An E and an A/B/C/D (we're not fussy!) post are available in Norfolk working for Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust, and your webmaster when he's there. Visit

www.nmhct.nhs.uk/pharmacy for the full details, or the PJ for the advert.
Closing date - when can you get here?
More information? Visit the website or speak to anyone in the department on 01603-421212, 421364 or 421319. Better still, phone 01603-421212 and pretend you need some drug information.

22.12.02 - UKPPG committee
Members of the UKPPG (amongst many others) were most saddened and shocked to hear of the sudden death of Ian Martin (husband of Treasurer Morag Martin) on Friday 13th December. Steve represented the committee at the funeral on 20th December at St Joseph's Church in Glasgow.

24.11.02 - UKPPG committee
Committee member Dr Gillian Hawksworth received her OBE recently, but the big event was a picture appearing the the PJ (Pharm J 2002, 269, 739).

17.11.02 - UKPPG committee
Your committee met in Barnsley on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th November. The Bulletin Board met on Thursday afternoon, with the usual suspects (David Branford, Graham Parton, Graham Newton, Steve Bazire, Celia Feetam, publisher Valery Marston and editor Lynn Haygarth). On Friday the full committee met (Celia, Graham N, Graham P, Steve, Juliet, Robert Goff, Ian Maidment and Denny Humphries). Topics discussed included:

Conference feedback: The 2002 conference was generally accepted to have been one of the best ever, on all measures, as well as making a small surplus. Graham N had ploughed through the feedback forms, and his summary was considered at length. Overall, the feedback was as good as has been seen before, and your hard-working (and unpaid!) committee was pleased to see an apparent genuine appreciation of our efforts to run the conference. Friday was good overall, albeit pretty heavy. The workshops by Lynn, Portia, Alistair, Celia, Joy, Naz, Graham, Ian, Tim and Robert particularly well received. Sunday was very well received. Saturday morning was generally good, albeit a bit long. Poster location remains a problem, as is Medical Exhibition in the side rooms. We'll need to try yet another combination in 2003. The food was definitely better, and it was clear that the Wokefield staff were attentive, helpful and tried really hard, and that people appreciated this. We will look at providing delegates with a venue map. The venue location is accepted as not being convenient for the northern Brits, but (and your reporter speaks here as the Chairman responsible for the switch to Wokefield) there are few alternatives able to provide a venue of the right size, flexibility, room for expansion and (most importantly) at an affordable price. Suggestions for alternatives further north are always welcome, but need to bear these restrictions in mind.
Conference 2003 - based on the feedback forms, an outline for 2003 was formulated, and is listed on the diary page. More details in January when speakers have been contacted. The provisional dates are 3rd to 5th October. See diary page for details.
Technicians network - as discussed at the AGM, the UKPPG has been made aware of a UK Mental Health Pharmacy Technicians Network. The AGM guardedly welcomed their formation, but the committee was concerned that this has now appeared in writing as an endorsement as "strongly linked and welcomed". It seems that many technicians (including those who are associate members of UKPPG) are unaware of their existence. Their main contact is Elizabeth Ebner (e-mail lizebner@hotmail.com).
College of Mental Health Pharmacists - there was (again) no representative at the committee meeting and the Chair had had no contact with the CMHP Founders Board for a year. News of progress on revising the portfolio requirements, certificates, strategic development and succession planning will be sought.
Education: The next Psychiatry 2 is planned for early March and the long-promised Psychiatry M (a non-clinical management-orientated course) planned for early April 2003.
UKPPG Bulletin:
Dates for committee meetings in 2003 were set as Friday 17th January 2003 - South-west area, Friday 21st March 2003, Friday 6th or 13th June 2003, Friday 5th September 2003 and Friday 14th November 2003

10.02 - WEST LONDON MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
The West London Mental Health Trust provides a comprehensive range of local and specialist psychiatry services to the local Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Hounslow from units on a number of sites. A range of secure services are provided on the Ealing and Broadmoor sites. Pharmacy services to the sites are provided locally and include Service Level Agreements with local host trusts at Ealing, Charing Cross, West Middlesex and Ashford Hospitals and an in-house pharmacy service at Broadmoor Hospital.

CHIEF PHARMACIST - Grade G - G++ £44,610 - £49,844 (including EDC & LW)
The Trust is looking to appoint a Chief Pharmacist to provide the professional lead for the Trust in all aspects of pharmacy services and Medicines Management. This new post 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 work closely with senior clinical and managerial colleagues within the trust and with relevant Chief Pharmacists providing local pharmacy services to the trust. In addition you will monitor the level and quality of the pharmacy services provided and will act as the line manager for pharmacy staff at Broadmoor Hospital.

You will be an experienced pharmacist with demonstrable managerial, leadership and clinical skills and an understanding of current issues within mental health. However, the post would also be suitable for an experienced pharmacy manager with an interest in mental health or an experienced clinical mental health pharmacist looking to develop a career as a Mental Health Chief Pharmacist. Discretionary points may be payable to an exceptional candidate.

The Trust actively promotes staff development and training which is tailored to the needs of the individual and may include formal managerial and/or clinical mental health pharmacy training.

If this post sounds interesting, please contact Bob Nessling, Director of Nursing, West London Mental Health Trust tel. 020 8354 8846 or e-mail bob.nessling@wlmht.nhs.uk for further information or to arrange an informal visit. For information on pharmacy services contact Robert Urquhart, Chief Pharmacist of Ealing Hospital NHS Trust tel. 020 8967 5301 or e-mail robert.urquhart@eht.nhs.uk. Application forms and job descriptions can be obtained from the Personnel Department, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7EG. Tel: 01344 754000 (answerphone out of hours). Please quote your name, address and Ref: PAM101. Closing date: 8 November 2002

Pharmacist working across 2 PCTs and a mental health/social care trust
- advanced warning. The PCT part will be in-patient medicine for older people and mental health part a bit of adult and older people. The post will suite someone who doesn't want to completely specialise in psych or general pharmacy at the moment. It also offers a unique chance to work in 3 different organisations spanning primary, secondary and social care.

Also the opportunity to work in Camden, a happening and cosmopolitan area of London. Young, friendly, forward thinking pharmacy team. Pharmacy-friendly Chief Exec and Chair. Plenty of opportunities for postgraduate study, practice research. CPD actively encouraged. If you know anyone who may be interested, they can give Lee a call. Or perhaps you're interested in a change?

Contact Lee Furniss, Chief Pharmacist, Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, telephone 020 8219 1885
30.10.02

Consultation letter: MLX 285 Patient Information Leaflets: Proposed amendments to The Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc.) Regulations 1994 and DoH guidance on issuing patient information leaflets (PILs) with dispensed medicines (Relating to Directive 2001/83 EC).

The UKPPG response, co-ordinated by Graham Parton was as follows:
This letter is written as the United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Groups' response to the MCA's request for comment on the above amendment and the guidance note issued jointly by the Medicines Control Agency and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public and the Department of Health.

There are a number of issues that should be brought to your attention regarding both the guidance and the proposed amendment to the regulations. These issues are related to the implications of the guidance in hospital practice and particularly practice related to the care of patients with psychiatric illness.

The UKPPG believes that all mental health service users should have the support of, and access to, independent education and advice about drugs, preferably from a specialist mental health pharmacist. The availability of Patient Information Leaflets and Patient Advice Leaflets is consistent with this belief.
The UKPPG has designed and published a series of Patient Advice Leaflets to better inform service users and carers about medication used in mental health.

In response to the Audit Commission Report "A Spoonful of Sugar" and local initiatives many hospitals are discharging patients with medicines contained in full patient packs including a PIL. However in the mental health milieu it is often not appropriate for patients to receive Patient Packs as part of risk management:

Patients at risk of self harm should be supplied no more than 2 weeks medication (National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England).
Many service users are re-integrated with their home life through short "leaves" from hospital wards necessitating dispensing small quantities of medication.
Rehabilitation services also utilise "self medication" schemes utilising compliance aids or dispensing medication daily or weekly.

Many hospital pharmacies involved in mental health care have a significant component of dispensing work around these strategies which preclude issuing PIL's as part of patient packs and necessitate examining the options outlined in the guidance:

Utilising files forwarded on disc from the licence holder: Consider that the usual pharmacy will have around 2000 lines from most suppliers of medicines in the UK including unlicensed products. This will necessitate a considerable logistical exercise both at the pharmacy in primary or secondary care and by the manufacturer. It should be noted that PIL's do not exist for unlicensed products. This does not seem a realistic option.
Utilising web based access to download PIL's - for example through the EMC website. The EMC website, whilst helpful, is not always rapidly and easily accessed. If the use of this site for the purposes of downloading PIL's were to increase it seems unlikely that the current facilities would be able to cope without considerable investment in the IT infrastructure. Many pharmacies, despite the "Clinical Connect" initiative, do not have ready access to the web. The EMC website does not contain PIL's for the wide range of generic products available and utilised. Again, on critical examination, this is an unrealistic way forward.
The guidance advises using pharmaceutical company websites to download PIL's. Is the MCA aware of how many company website's do not contain this information? Links exist to the EMC or to US websites for many products. Generic medicines PIL's are similarly unavailable.
Photocopying PIL's: Most PIL's provided in the manufacturers packaging is on flimsy paper, in small type with multipart folding. These are all factors which are predictors of failure either through mechanical incompatibility with many photocopiers or through loss of clarity on reproduction. Many pharmacies do not currently possess a photocopier and whilst a one-off payment will be welcome by primary care pharmacists similar issues will remain in secondary care.

All of these options have significant and fundamental weaknesses and will all entail significant workload for the dispensing pharmacy, an issue passed over in the guidance, but one of critical interest to pharmacies providing key services within tight resource limits. Additional strategies, such as retaining PIL's from packs of medicines sent to wards or setting up extensive filing systems are similarly flawed. Have any of these suggestions been subject to trials in any significant way to establish their feasibility and resource implications?
A major issue in primary care are around splitting packs to meet the exact quantity prescribed. This issue is elegantly addressed through requiring manufacturers through the licensing process to present appropriately sized patient packs, as our EU partners have already accomplished, and by requiring the prescribing dispensing process to utilise these packs without "breaking bulk". Other options, as outlined above, are expensive and inefficient ways of providing PIL's to most patients in Primary Care. This is tacitly agreed by the guidance through the comments on prescribing GP's.
Many pharmacists recognise the need to promote patient education and do so through the provision of PIL's where available and through the use of proprietary Patient Advice Leaflets, counselling and educative materials.

In summary, whilst the UKPPG supports the use of printed material as education aids around medication, these guidance offer little assistance in resolving the issue of compliance with Directive 2001/83 EC and provide a wholly unrealistic assessment of the impact in fully meeting the Directive for pharmacies in both primary and secondary care providing pharmaceutical care to people with mental health needs.
Graham Parton, UKPPG Committee Member, 30.10.02

UKPPG Conference
Your webmasters memory of the conference is a little ...er... sketchy, but I've put what I can remember on the UKPPG-history page. A couple of important notes:

Graham Parton was re-elected to the committee, Ian Maidment was elected at last and Fiona Couper also got the right number of votes, and this now brings the committee up to full strength. Thanks to everyone who voted and who stood.

More when I remember..... (photo gallery as soon as I have time to do it).
(19.10.02)

Clinical Pharmacist (Clinical Trials), Grade C + EDC, 39 hrs pw, £22,989 - £28,478 + EDC, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Bristol
We are looking for a highly motivated pharmacist to join our progressive 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. You will share our vision of medicine management, technician development and skill mix. The particular responsibilities of this post include clinical commitment at ward, MDT and CMHT level, supervision of clinical trials and further developing the provision of pharmaceutical care and medicine 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.

You can check our website at http://www.northbristol.nhs.uk/depts/clinicalsupport/pharmacy for more information.

If you are considering a move from community pharmacy to hospital practice we'd be pleased to hear from you! Job share and part time applications considered. Family friendly hours are negotiable.
For an informal chat contact Graham Parton Principal Pharmacist (graham.parton@north-bristol.swest.nhs.uk), Tel: (0117) 9656061 Ex 4690
10.02

Ealing Hospital NHS Trust - post
Ealing is a busy general hospital in a pleasant and lively part of West London. The pharmacy serves both Ealing Hospital and West London Mental Health Trust (WLMHT), a large and innovative mental health unit on the same site. The Pharmacy has a high profile within both trusts and an excellent reputation for clinical training and developing pharmaceutical care. We are committed to the professional, clinical and managerial development of our team. All pharmacists hold/undertake the Certificate in Pharmacy Practice (University of London) and we actively encourage further study to Diploma/MSc level including the Psychiatric Pharmacy Certificate, Diploma and MSc.

Senior Pharmacist Mental Health - Grade C/D (depending on experience) + EDC
Grade C £26,828 - £32,317, Grade D £32,592 - £36,234
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a capable clinical pharmacist with an interest in Mental Health to assist in the provision and development of clinical pharmacy services to the WLMHT. You will be an integral member of the mental health pharmacy team (four pharmacists and a senior pharmacy technician) and will benefit from being based in and working closely with the staff of the large, well resourced Ealing pharmacy department. The post offers the opportunity to gain experience and training in a large mental health unit offering a comprehensive array of services.

The mental health pharmacy team are responsible for ensuring high quality medicines management across the Mental Health Unit. This is achieved by regular clinical ward visits and consultant ward rounds; provision of pharmaceutical advice, information and training to medical and nursing staff and patients; involvement in clinical audit; and the provision of information on medicines management and drug expenditure to the directorates.

You should have a minimum of one year's post-registration experience, a Certificate in Pharmacy Practice (or equivalent experience) and an interest in pharmacy services to mental health. Previous experience would be desirable but is not essential as full training will be given. To qualify for the D grade you will be an experienced clinical pharmacist with a Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (or equivalent experience) and clinical mental health experience.

If you would like further information, wish to arrange a visit or want to discuss the opportunities at Ealing further, please contact Robert Urquhart, Chief Pharmacist (Tel. 020 8967 5301 or Mobile 07973 179329, e-mail Robert.Urquhart@eht.nhs.uk) or Sue Watts, Principal Mental Heath Pharmacist (Tel. 020 8967 5572 or Bleep 397, e-mail Susan.Watts@eht.nhs.uk).

Closing Date for Applications 23rd September 2002
9.9.02

CMHP The next CMHP accreditation closing date is 10th September with vivas in October before the conference. With 7 members now we're gathering pace so get in earlyu and have a low number!
29.8.02

Pre-registration pharmacist bursary award
A new award is announced!
UKPPG is pleased to announce the launch of a bursary award for projects undertaken in mental health by pre-registration pharmacists. The award will include attendance at the group's annual conference, held each autumn, with all accommodation and travel included and 2 years membership of the group. The award will be made to a winner and runner up.

Criteria
The project must have been undertaken during the applicant's pre-registration training: this may either be as part of an undergraduate sandwich course or as part of post-graduate training. The project can be undertaken in any field of pharmacy, including community, hospital, academia and industry. The project must be wholly or mainly about a subject related to the practice of mental health pharmacy. It is anticipated that most projects undertaken by pre-registration pharmacists will be as part of the audit cycle, a literature search and evaluation as part of service development or a service evaluation, although applications need not be limited to such projects. The work must have been undertaken wholly by the applicant; the project may have been supervised. The project must be written up as a project report. There is no restriction on the length of the report, but should include a title page, an abstract of no more than 250 words, an introduction, methods, results, discussion and conclusions/recommendations. The report must be typed, double spaced on A4 paper with 1.5 inch margins; the typeface should be at least 12 point. The report must be bound. Since the report will act as the only means of assessing the project, the report should be self-contained and self-explanatory.
The applicant must have undertaken their pre-registration training in the years 2000-2003. The applicant will be willing to submit their project as a poster at the UKPPG International Psychiatric Pharmacy Conference in October 2003.

Process of application
Three printed copies of the written project report must be submitted. Alternatively, you may submit copies of the report on 3 floppy discs in addition to one printed copy of the report. Please DO NOT e-mail applications.
A covering letter should be provided by the applicant that states:

The applicant's full name and current address (for correspondence)
The address(es) of the applicant's pre-registration training establishment(s)
The name and address of the applicant's pre-registration tutor(s)
The name and address of the supervisor(s) for the project (if appropriate)
The address(es) of the establishment where the project was undertaken (where the data was collected)
The full title of the project
A statement confirming that the applicant undertook the work themselves without assistance other than that of a supervisor
A statement acknowledging that the applicant is willing to present their project as a poster at the psychiatric pharmacy conference in October 2003

Applications should be submitted to the address at the end of this invitation by 30th June 2003. Applications can only be acknowledged by e-mail; if you require acknowledgement of the receipt of your application, please include your e-mail address.

Judging
A panel of judges will consider the applications. The panel will include pharmacists from the Committee of UKPPG, the Board of Founders of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists and invited judges. The panel will represent community, hospital and academic mental health pharmacy. The decision of the judges is final; no communications will be entered into.

The Award
An award will be made to a winner and runner up. The winner and runner-up will be notified in writing by early August. The award will include a bursary to attend the annual Psychiatric Pharmacy Conference in 2003, dates to be confirmed. All reasonable travel and accommodation costs will be provided as part of the bursary. Two years membership to the group will also be provided. The award is not transferable, and no cash alternative is available. Address for submission of applications or further enquiries:

Graham Newton
UKPPG Pre-registration Pharmacists Award
Pharmacy Department
Mossley Hill Hospital
Park Avenue
Liverpool L18 8BU
Telephone: 0151-250 6011
Facsimile: 0151-729 0670
e-mail: graham.newton@merseycare.nhs.uk
This award is funded by the UK Psychiatric Pharmacy Group.
See Pre-registration pharmacist bursary award (also as Word file)
29.8.02

Lead forensic pharmacist at Homerton Hospital
Click here for the pdf file, closing date early September.
(29.8.02)

New jobs in Oxford
Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust
Littlemore Mental Health Centre / Warneford Hospital
Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust is a teaching trust providing a comprehensive range of psychiatric specialties. We are a progressive and forward-thinking department focused on the provision of high quality clinical services and the development of pharmaceutical care and medicines management. There are established links with the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry and the Centre for Evidence Based Mental Health. To help us achieve our vision we are looking for enthusiastic pharmacists to join us in these new posts:
CLINICAL LEAD PHARMACIST - Medicines Information and EBM
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE BASED MENTAL HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

Grade E Full/Part Time or Job Share, £34,692-37,832 including EDC
This is an exciting new post in collaboration with the Centre for Evidence Based Mental Health of the University of Oxford. The post holder will be responsible for the development and management of medicines information services for OMHT and the production and dissemination of evidence based guidelines on the use of medicines in mental health. As an Associate Director of the CEBMH the post holder will be responsible for providing pharmaceutical advice to the Centre and for teaching to different professional groups. Applicants must have a sound knowledge of research principles and evidence based medicine.

CLINICAL LEAD PHARMACIST, Community Liaison & Collaborative Care
Grade E Full/Part Time or Job Share, £34,692-37,832 including EDC
From either a hospital or primary care background, the post holder will be responsible for leading the development of structured discharge planning and pharmaceutical needs assessment. Working closely with inpatient and community clinical teams and members of the PHCT they will provide pharmaceutical support to facilitate successful discharge of patients with special pharmaceutical needs. Applicants must have the interpersonal skills required to work with other professional groups in primary and secondary care, and a sound knowledge of primary and secondary care strategies as input into the development of shared care protocols will be a key part of the post holder's remit.

Both posts include direct clinical services. Clinical Lead Pharmacists are members of the Pharmacy Management Team, and may also have a Locality Management Liaison role. Candidates will ideally already have a Diploma in Psychiatric Therapeutics or similar qualification, but funding and study leave would be available for suitable candidates. All pharmacists are expected to work towards accreditation with the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. Accommodation may be available if required. We have a strong focus on CPD and training and actively support individuals in their development including protected CPD time. The EDC is not onerous.

For further information regarding these posts please contact Michael Marven, Chief Pharmacist, on 01865 223293 or Michael.Marven@oxmhc-tr.nhs.uk.
Closing date 13th September 2002

Job in New Zealand with Auckland District Health Board, Department of Pharmacy
Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) is the major tertiary and quarternary facility in New Zealand and provides pharmacy services for 1400 beds throughout four hospitals and in the community. The Pharmacy Department has recently undergone a major upgrade and is developing services to align with the new $400 million hospital to be built by 2003. We are also developing links with the recently opened Division of Pharmacy at the University of Auckland.

The department is committed to continuing professional development and we provide opportunities for further study and development. Other benefits include paid PSNZ registration and study leave for professional and managerial courses and conferences. The salary offered will reward your experience and competence, while encouraging the continued development of your clinical Pharmacy skills and career.

Clinical Team Leader - Mental Health & Community Services
We are looking for a pharmacist with experience in Mental Health to fill this high profile role. Our involvement in multidisciplinary teams is well established and pharmacist led patient education groups take place. As Team Leader you will be responsible for overseeing the provision of clinical pharmacy services to our Mental Health units. This involves managing and training a team of four pharmacists. This post offers an excellent opportunity to develop managerial and organisational skills, whilst maintaining a strong clinical focus.

For further information, or an informal chat, please contact Billy Allan, Principal Pharmacist - Clinical Services; 09 307 4949 pager 93 5056, or 09 307 4949 x 6668 or email at billya@adhb.govt.nz

For information on Auckland and what the area has to offer see www.aucklandnz.com. Further information on Auckland District Health Board can be viewed at www.adhb.govt.nz.

To apply for any of the above vacancies, please send written applications with CV (copy only) to Jenni McKibbon, Human Resources Administrator, Ground Floor, Main Building, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, or email jmckibbin@adhb.govt.nz
(8.7.02)

Dr Gill Hawksworth, committee member, was awarded the MBE in June 2002 for being an all-round jolly good person.
(21.6.02)

NICE volunteers needed - The UKPPG is now registering as a stakeholder for the following guideline/s:

Depression in children and young people
OCD & PTSD
Anxiety
Disturbed (violent) behaviour
Self harm
Eating Disorders

We need people to help put together the submissions for these. Please let Celia know of your interest. The "committee" can't do it all!
7.6.02)

New post - Joint appointment
QEPH (South Birmingham Mental Health Trust)/Dpt.Psychiatric Pharmacy - Aston University
Grade D, 3/7 at the hosptial as a clinical pharmacist - mental health - with special responsibilites e.g. "medicine management" and 2/7 at the Unversity as assistant tutor on the Certificate and Diploma programmes.

Some experience in mental health necessary
An interesting opportunity for the right person
Potential for working with some wonderful people e.g. Penny and Lynn in the Aston Psychiatric Pharmacy Office!
Time at the University - Flexible
We need help with our overwhelming workload and in return offer the chance to escape from the NHS for part of the week on a full time salary- what more can I say?!

Please contact Celia or Martin Read at the QE for more information. If we get an inadequate response from the egroup an advert will go in the PJ.

In addition Celia is also looking for someone to share the private work at the Woodbourne Priory Birmingham - on an independent basis - Max 10 - 15 hours a week - but will accept less - at anytime to suit. My current partner of 17 years is leaving to work in New Zealand. This is largely a job share clinical post - providing a full service to about 40 beds covering all psychiatric specialties but particularly eating disorders, substance misue, and child and adolescent psychiatry. Good patient/consultant contact - opportunity for DI, Med ed, drug history taking, one to one "counselling",nurse training etc. Hourly rate negotiable.

Anyone interested, please contact me directly - the right person could do it all!
We look forward to being swamped with enquiries!
Celia and Martin

Celia Feetam, Clinical Psychiatric Pharmacist, UKPPG Chair, Senior Teaching Fellow, Dpt. Psychiatric Pharmacy, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK, c.l.feetam@aston.ac.uk, celiafeetam@madasafish.com, 07958 - 306 - 805
(6.6.02)

Anyone interested in applying to join the UKPPG committee?. The forms are available from Wendy Davies at Littlemore Mental Healthcare Trust, Sandford Road, Oxford OX4 4XN or by clicking here. If they want to they can give Wendy a ring and have a chat about what it involves; her number is 01865-223377. The closing date is July 31st.
(16.5.02)

"Case studies in psychopharmacology". 2nd edition - Hot off the press
Contains lots of new chapters (child psychiatry, substance misuse, eating disorders, dementia, atypicals & hyperglycaemia, OCD, sleep, complementary therapies). Available from Martin Dunitz tel 020 748 22202, e-mail info@dunitz.co.uk, ISBN 1 84184 154 4. Editors Carol Paton and David Taylor.
15.5.02

Mental Health Pharmacist - Cheltenham (Gloucester health Care Trust)
C/D (depending upon experience) + EDC £24,286 to £34,691
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic pharmacist with an interest in psychiatry to assist the Pharmacy manager, Mental Health in developing the clinical psychiatric pharmacy service to Charlton Lane Acute Psychiatric Hospital, Cheltenham.

You will work closely with and have peer review from a well-established specialist psychiatric pharmacy service based at Gloucester Royal Hospital. The National Service Framework for Mental Health has provided the impetus for the continued development of clinical pharmacy services.

To qualify for the D grade you will be expected to have either significant prior experience of psychiatric pharmacy or a postgraduate diploma in Psychiatric Therapeutics. However applications are welcomed from pharmacists with less experience of, but an interest in, psychiatry.

You will be encouraged to take up education and training opportunities including the Aston University certificate and diploma in Psychiatric Therapeutics.
For further information please contact Juliet Shepherd, Pharmacy manager, Mental Health. Tel 01452 394289.
2.4.02

New post - COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON PRIORITY SERVICES NHS TRUST, CLINICAL PHARMACIST - MENTAL HEALTH Salary scale D/E depending on experience
Full time (part time minimum 3days p.w. or job share would be considered)
Hours are flexible and family friendly
No dispensing !
No emergency duty commitment !
Free parking!

At an exciting time for mental health services, an opportunity exists for a pharmacist to practice their clinical skills in a friendly forward-looking trust. We are a specialist provider of mental health services to the populations of County Durham and Darlington. In addition to general and old age psychiatry we provide learning disability and child psychiatry services on a countywide basis.

A new post has been created which will allow the post holder to further their management skills whilst retaining a clinical role. We are looking for an enthusiastic, confident and adaptable individual. You must be self-motivated and have the drive and enthusiasm for the planning and development of our clinical service and the ability to teach and motivate professional colleagues. You will need to demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work at a senior level both within the trust, acting as deputy to the chief pharmacist, and in the wider health community.

You will be responsible for the provision of comprehensive clinical service. This will require development of a patient orientated medicine service and providing information to promote evidence based prescribing. You will take the lead on new initiatives and head up pilot schemes. Planned developments for this year include being a pilot site for hospital ePACT and provision of pharmaceutical care to learning disability patients transferring to the community.

The trust is committed to education and training and will support applicants wishing to undertake postgraduate qualifications in mental health. You will be encouraged to apply to become a member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists and to undertake research in collaboration with clinical and academic staff.

If you are ready to develop your pharmaceutical expertise in this challenging environment please call or write to Wendy Broderick, Chief Pharmacist on 0191 3336269 or email wendy.broderick@cddps.northy.nhs.uk.

Car owner essential. Application form and job description available from: The Directorate of Human Resources, Central Resources, Earls House, Lancheter Road, Durham, DH1 5RD - Telephone (0191) 3336254 (24 hour answering machine). APPLICANTS SHOULD QUOTE REFERENCE NUMBER P075/02 WHEN REQUESTING AN APPLICATION FORM.
CLOSING DATE - 12TH APRIL 2002
INTERVIEWS - 22ND APRIL 2002
THE TRUST AIMS TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
16.3.02

UKPPG Corporate address - after much careful consideration, the UKPPG has decided to try a "permanent" corporate address and set of "permanent" e-mail addresses, rather than having the contact point changing every year or two. For example, many organisations still seem to have Peter pratt as their main UKPPG contact and Chairman, even though he stopped being Chairman in 1993! The details can be found on the Contact us webpage.
16.3.02

The UKPPG Committee met on Friday 15th March 2002 in Coventry (thanks to Organon for supporting this)
The members present (Celia Feetam, Morag Martin, Graham Newton, Juliet Shepherd, Stephen Bazire, Denny Humphries and Wendy Davies) discussed a large number of issues:

Finances - these remain healthy, with the PALs now into profit
NICE - Celia has been sent the antipsychotic draft conclusions. There are two appeals being heard and the conclusions will appear soon afterwards.
Head office - the new Corporate contact and address it was agreed that we will run with this for a year.
PALs - there were no volunteers for the project manager and so Graham Newton will continue managing this. Proof readers have volunteered. Plans for the 2003 release are advancing, with separating out of the phenothiazines and butyrophenones as separate sheets possible. Site or intranet licenses may be considered, although how to construct a fair and equitable tariff would create problems.
Education - the Certificate and Diploma are now known as qualifications in Psychiatric Therapeutics. Chairman Celia is crumbling under the workload but will continue. Psychiatry 1 and 2 are subject to on-going review and effort for funding, with Psychiatry 1 weekend course as the highest priority, and the UKPPG may be at least partly funding the courses. A repeat of the Technicians course is possible in Oxford in May. Contact Wendy Davies for details

16.3.02

News from Tolworth Hospital
Steve Bleakley, our lovely D Grade pharmacist is leaving us. He can't stand it any longer (the travelling that is!) so he is going to work nearer home. Consequently we have a vacancy coming up for a D Grade pharmacist at Tolworth Hospital, Surbiton, Surrey.( Near Kingston-upon-Thames - close to the river and Richmond Park). Anyone out there interested PLEASE contact JENNY DE VERE, Tel 0208 3900102 ext 5012 or E Mail jennidevere@hotmail.com.
20.02.2002

College of Mental Health Pharmacists
At the recent viva voce examinations in Birmingham, we were pleased to accept two new members of CMHP and accredit them as specialists in mental health pharmacy. We now have three members of the college.

The next viva voce examinations will be held in York on Wednesday 22nd May 2002. The deadline for submission of portfolios is Saturday 30th March.
We really need now to accelerate our rate of accreditation so that we meet our target of 25 members in the next eighteen months. I urge accreditable UKPPG members to complete their portfolios as soon as possible and to put themselves forward for membership of the college. We have started well, but need to build on this.

Yours sincerely,
David Taylor, President - College of Mental Health Pharmacists
5.2.02

The UKPPG Committee met on Friday 18th January 2002
The members present (Celia Feetam, David Taylor, Morag Martin, Graham Newton, Juliet Shepherd, Gill Hawksworth, Graham Parton, Stephen Bazire and Wendy Davies) discussed a large number of issues:

We had a presentation on clinical governance by Catherine Dewsbury from RPSGB. The RPSGB is still trying to get many pharmacists (particularly in the community) up to speed on error recording, and are some way from the more active clinical role common in many secondary care mental health services. There was a healthy discussion, with the hope the RPSGB will (this time) honour it's promise to consider specialist groups such as ourselves as relevant to the RPSGB and having something to contribute to the future of Pharmacy
Finance - the UKPPG finances remain steady. The Learning Disability study day was an academic (but not financial) success, and four bursary requests were received (and approved)
The Audit Commission "Spoonful of Sugar" document was considered an important document - need to take it seriously. Furthur work on this will come out from the committee in the next Bulletin
Education - Postgraduate certificate exams were held recently - 47 people took it, with the results due imminently. the workload has increased dramatically recently, with up to 70 students in operation at any one time (marking a particular issue), and so a part-time clinical tutor is about to be recruited (joint appointment with QEPH has been agreed). Psychiatry 1 and 2 are temporarily suspended at the moment whilst Novartis support for the future is discussed
The e-mail group has now 180 members
The UKPPG is about to have a corporate address, phone, fax and e-mail, for a one-year trial basis. Details to follow within the next few days
CMHP - David Taylor reported that the next viva's were on 29.1.02. Four applications had been received, with three going through to the viva.
The UKPPG and CMHP have been invited to take part in a Mental Health Summit, being run by Oliver Heald, Shadow Health Minister, on Tuesday 5th February. The aim will be to help the Conservative Party organise it's future mental health policies. David Taylor and Stephen Bazire will be taking part on behalf of the two group, with pleasure that both the UKPPG and CMHP have been recognised in thus way.
The UKPPG is to introduce a pre-registration project in mental health award next year. This would be for a pre-reg project in a mental health-related subject. There would be two awards, with both winners receiving an Award and a free conference place to present their work, either as a poster or oral presentation.
PALs on CD-ROM - over 90 have so far been sold, with positive feedback. The committee hopes the wait (and the effort on our part) was worth it! Whilst most of the obstacles to production have now been overcome, the planning stages for the updated version are now being agreed. A feedback survey will be circulated to all purchasers in spring/early summer, so please record somewhere your comments for this. Are there any improvements to the text you would like? did the IT work on your PC? What future additions e.g. drugs, drug groups, related texts etc would you like?
The UKPPG has made contact with the new National Institute for Mental health - England (NIMH-E), offering our support and introducing ourselves. Steve's notes from a presentation he attended in Cambridge are on the website.
Clinical Pharmacy Standards in mental health. Siobhan Drummond, who has done the initail and complex work on the updating of these 1990 standards, has recently moved and the committee will be working on developing these rapidly, with input from members and committee, with the next draft for the March 2002 meeting.

(19.1.02)

NATIONAL INSTITUTUTE FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN ENGLAND
In January, Stephen Bazire was invited to a presentation by Professor Antony Sheehan, a former nurse, academic and civil servant, who is one of the new leads for the NIMHE. Prof. Sheehan outlined the scale of the agenda, huge expectations and work programme for the new institute, and emphasised five aspects of the new organisation:

Small central team
Programmes of national importance
Network to help manage and co-ordinate the presentation of mental health (compared to other specialities)
Regional centres
Possible presence in Regional Directorates

Why a NIMHE? Prof Sheehan thought mental health deserved one. Mental health needed something to co-ordinate key implementation, build capacity, maintain momentum and "pull all the levers together". The Institutes view was that recovery from mental health problems is possible, so NIMHE's role will be to help and support the development of systems across the UK, considering that both primary care and CMHTs are overwhelmed with work. Research and support on a variety of issues (and he named early intervention, assertive outreach and home treatment) was needed.
NIMHE will be ambitious and wide-thinking in the long-term, but initially will be looking at specific services and specific health policy, but recognising now that little will be achieved by just writing policies!
The structure of the NIMHE will be:
NIMHE Centre and headquarters - A small administrative centre to oversee and co-ordinate acitivites, management overview, co-ordination across various internal structures, national co-ordination 9e.g. with NICE, DoH, CHI, MHAC etc) and programme support
National programmes - These will be time-limited and for topics requiring work at a national level e.g. workforce development, primary care, citizenship, social inclusion, service user involvement
National research network - NIMHE will be tendering soon for someone to run this, with the task of supporting the larger scale organisations, getting knowledge into practice, and will have a wide spectrum of research interests, including social, NHS, neurology and other aspects
Regional centres - These will be the key interface between NIMHE and the localities, and are to act across NHS structures and set up local networks. Their structure is still open to discussion, but each may serve an area roughly equivalent to the current regions (e.g. about 3 of the new strategic Health Authorities), will have organisational hubs (networking, training, service development), have three levels of accountability (local e.g. Trust level, host organisation and NIMHE), and will have core funding from NIMHE (although this will apparently be money that was paid to the current Regional offices - around £500Kpa).
Timescale - Consultation finishes at the end of January 2002, the administrative centre and regional centres started by April 2002.

Unfortunately, Prof Sheehan had to leave before many questions were asked (e.g. is there to be one for Scotland and Wales!).
Stephen Bazire, 9.1.02 - first draft

Auckland District Health Board - Department of Pharmacy - job opportunity
Thinking of returning to NZ after your OE? Looking for a lifestyle change? Looking to escape from another cold UK winter for a long Southern Hemisphere summer in the City of Sails, home of the next America's Cup in February 2003?

Clinical Team Leader - Mental Health & Community Services (Equivalent to a UK E-grade)
Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) is the major tertiary and quarternary facility in New Zealand and provides pharmacy services for 1400 beds throughout four hospitals and in the community. The Pharmacy Department has recently undergone a major upgrade and is developing services to align with the new $400 million hospital to be built by 2003. We are also developing links with the recently opened Division of Pharmacy at the University of Auckland.

We have an exciting position available for a senior pharmacist at ADHB.
We are looking for a pharmacist with experience in Mental Health to fill this high profile role. The practice of mental health medicine in New Zealand is very similar to that in the UK. Our involvement in multidisciplinary teams is well established and pharmacist led patient education groups take place. As Team Leader you will be responsible for overseeing the provision of clinical pharmacy services to our Mental Health units. This involves managing and training a team of four pharmacists. This post offers an excellent opportunity to develop managerial and organisational skills, whilst maintaining a strong clinical focus.

For information on Auckland and what the area has to offer see www.aucklandnz.com. Further information on Auckland District Health Board can be viewed at, www.adhb.govt.nz. For information on practising in NZ see the Pharmaceutical Society of NZ's web site at www.psnz.org.nz, or the NZ Healthcare Pharmacists' Association web site at www.nzhpa.org.nz. Information on immigration requirements is available at www.immigration.govt.nz

For further information, an informal chat, information pack on coming to NZ or job descriptions please contact Kate Starkey (current post holder; 00-64-9-307-4949 pager 93 4723, or 00-64-9-307-4949 ext. 6432 or email at KStarkey@adhb.govt.nz), or Billy Allan (Principal Pharmacist - Clinical Services; 00-664-9-307-4949 pager 93 5056, or 00-64-9-307-4949 ext. 6668 or email at billya@adhb.govt.nz) (NZ time is currently +13hrs to UK).

To apply for the above vacancy please send written applications with CV (copy only) to Meg Beswick, Human Resources Administrator, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand or email MBeswick@adhb.govt.nz.
(16.1.02)

A new book by a UKPPG member has been published: "Pharmacoeconomics in psychiatry" by David Taylor, Martin Knapp and Rob Kerwin, published by Martin Dunitz at £24.95. This 115 page book has chapters on Pharmacoeconomic methods, schizophrenia, depression, Bipolar, Anxiety, Alzheimer's Disease and applying pharmacoeconomics in practice.
(18.1.02)