1. The Community Perspective George Romanes Community Pharmacist Scottish Borders

4. Overview of career pathways in Community Pharmacy Prior to New Contract there was little except those offerings from Universities. Supplementary and Independent prescribing opportunities come along in 2004.... Vehicle for Change has been New Scottish Pharmacy contract.... “paradigm shift” from medicine to a Care Focus over recent years.

5. Seminal Document ? CRAG document in 1999 set out the vision for a Pharmaceutical care future in Scotland. New vehicle coming to town is the final element of the “new contract” The Chronic Medication service C.M.S which will be a challenge to the profession but could also be very rewarding to the Pharmacists who deliver it ?

6. The Employer Perspective Big year on year volume increases in prescription numbers due to ageing population and new GMS/QOF etc. Need to engage with the Service agenda, such as Smoking, EHC, Public Health. Increasing need to utilise Skill Mix and team working despite the barriers to it. Robotics ?

7. Employee needs Dont want to be checkers all and every day, but also not every Pharmacist comfortable giving up the control element....? Some younger Pharmacists keen to move on with Independent Prescribing or MUR s if in England. Some happy with current roles and not happy to move to a P.C. Future.

8. Career Pathways Times are changing, Community is moving with the times. Pharmacists with Prescribing Qualifications will be the engines for change if we are to deliver the CMS optimally. Pharmacists will be happy to specialise in the future and opportunities to work in Multiples or small groups will aid this upskilling.

9. Rewards and Structured Careers Always be a flatter structure in Community setting. Need to up skill to meet all future challenges will be paramount. Money vs Job Satisfaction More F2F interaction with patients and other HCPs

10. What is wanted/ needed LTC are the driver therefore diabetes, hypertension might be areas to study and refine skills. Diagnostics/Screening will be vital, already there are KEEP WELL areas in Scotland Need to suit all Pharmacists not just the cutting edge practioners, remember the majority of the profession who deliver care every day.

11. Whats needed Accessible courses delivered online/by text. Peer review Clear evidence of upskilling More reward for such training ? Employers need to look at how to best use the skills of their employees as we move deeper into a service based world.

12. Some thoughts...... Do we need some sort of curriculum to advance practice that is accessible to most if not all committed community Pharmacists ? How do we offer that advancement and ensure the Pharmacy practitioners are suitably rewarded for their input, given the current constraints in the NHS ?

13. Some ideas then, a personnel opinion of what we need. More courses that suit Community Pharmacists and give them confidence in dealing with patients with L.T.C.s and Care planning. These “advanced practioners” need to have role clearly laid out, and not train for nothing as many have done in the past ! We as employers need to utilise these skills wisely and ensure the rewards are in place.