The team’s work is underscored with their unfaltering conviction that all primary care staff must be appropriately trained and supported to enable people to self-manage their diabetes well, preventing the complications that can be associated with the condition. In recent years, the GP practice team at Foundry Town Clinic have expanded to include the role of a practice pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team. To provide optimal care, the pharmacist completed independent prescriber training in diabetes a few years ago with the practice and had been carrying out annual reviews and medication management for a number of years. However, one of the limitations of the service for the patient was the issue with referral and waiting times when injectable therapies needed to be initiated.    Further training was completed by the GP practice pharmacist to provide GLP1 initiation, insulin initiation and titration for patients.

The team started getting involved in the management of repeat medication for patients with chronic conditions in 2019. Sparked by their belief in prudent healthcare, structured training was planned for the team members to upskill them so that they can provide support in the implementation of monitoring and safe prescribing in the practice. During the development phase of primary care monitoring for chronic disease management, the realisation struck that not all patients with diabetes were having their urine ACR done. After investigation it was found that the protocol followed by HCAs did not include ACR, hence it was being missed; they were continuing to dip the urine, which was also not happening for all the patients. The protocol was therefore updated and this work was prioritised by employing EMIS searches for all the patients who have diabetes in their problem list yet had not had an ACR in the past 12 months. Bloods and ACR requirements were then identified and requested, and the pharmacy technicians flagged all patients with ACR higher than three in which their history, medications and renal functions were reviewed.

The team’s work is underscored with their unfaltering conviction that all primary care staff must be appropriately trained and supported to enable people to self-manage their diabetes well, preventing the complications that can be associated with the condition. In recent years, the GP practice team at Foundry Town Clinic have expanded to include the role of a practice pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team. To provide optimal care, the pharmacist completed independent prescriber training in diabetes a few years ago with the practice and had been carrying out annual reviews and medication management for a number of years. However, one of the limitations of the service for the patient was the issue with referral and waiting times when injectable therapies needed to be initiated.    Further training was completed by the GP practice pharmacist to provide GLP1 initiation, insulin initiation and titration for patients. With this new initiative, patients can be booked in for review or referred by the other members of the multidisciplinary team with the practice pharmacist when needed during care. This is the only insulin initiation service provided by a practice pharmacist in the health board and includes advice to all members of the practice team regarding management of insulin and review where needed. 

At the start of COVID-19, Rowlands Pharmacy concentrated the provision of substance dependency programmes to one branch, Chapel Street. The programme increased from 45 clients to 120 clients (167 per cent increase) and the needle exchange transactions increased by 246 transactions (May 2019) to 500 transactions (May 2020). Chapel Street is a busy community pharmacy which provides a separate entrance for substance dependency clients. The team provide an excellent, efficient programme which treats all clients as individuals – building a rapport with the client group which enables them to deliver support to the individuals and signpost them to the appropriate agencies. As a result of their efforts and commitment, the team positively impact their clients’ lifestyles – possessing the ability to highlight the associated problems with substance dependency, such as housing issues, homelessness, financial hardship and mental health issues, and offer appropriate assistance. For example, they regularly refer clients to the Wrexham Substance Misuse Service and other organisations, such as the Salvation Army, soup kitchen, community care collaborative group, and mental health teams. Furthermore, they are the lead local pharmacy for the Kaleidoscope project which aims to reduce offending by addressing substance dependency-related issues and providing opiate substitution therapy for a 12-week period for people leaving prison.

Robert Street Surgery has a practice population of approximately 8,500 – the demographics of which mean that substance dependency is an issue which they encounter. In the practice, the GPs see many patients who have moved into the area dependent on opioids, benzodiazipines and Gabapentoids. Once identified as needing help, they have a consultation to review their condition and set out a plan. Patients are also identified from acute prescription requests, requests for reprints, ‘lost medication’ queries and frequent holiday supply requests. As a key part of the practice’s course of action, Liz monitors and reviews the patients and their prescriptions; the intervals and frequency are patient-dependent, but the individuals are also free to seek help between review dates. The team also work closely with the Hwyel Dda pain team on certain higher risk, more complex patients; attaining expert advice and support. As the practice pharmacist, Liz is a vital asset in being accessible to the patient and having more time to review and discuss any issues with them. Local pharmacies experiencing script issues and concerns regarding these patients also know that they can contact Liz directly to resolve these rather then add to the workload of the GPs.

Substance dependency in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a significant challenge, with dependency to prescribed hypnotics, anxiolytics, pregabalin and opioids a particular issue. In collaboration with the health board, a novel service based at Mayberry Pharmacy, Newport, has been developed, in which they work in partnership with local GP practices to support patients with substance dependency issues.

As Chairman of the Welsh Pharmaceutical Students Association (WPSA), and in line with the Welsh School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences celebrating its centenary year, Dafydd decided to implement a series of important changes. For example, to support the first years at the start of the academic year, he helped to organise an Initiation Social which got the new students mixing before they started their first day. Under his leadership a huge range of social activities have been undertaken, leading to them raising £3,702.63 for the nominated charity, Life for African Mothers. In addition to this, Dafydd has been undertaking research about students’ views on multisector pre-reg.

Hannah currently presents to potential new applicants and their parents at every UCAS interview day during the ‘information talk’ – and is inspirational in helping their conversion rates. Additionally, Hannah is instrumental in showcasing the course in a positive light and providing a great first impression of the student body. She is trustworthy, reliable and turns up to every scheduled event. Hannah also conducts tours, answers questions about the course from potential applicants, and is confident, knowledgeable, and possesses effective communication skills – ultimately being an exemplary ambassador for the School of Pharmacy.

Joseph has worked at several different Well Pharmacies as a relief dispenser which has led to him gaining vital experience of working with many different pharmacists, and in dealing with a wide array of patients and scenarios. He has also worked many university open days, showing potential new students around the pharmacy building and answering any questions which they may have. On top of this, he was elected to be social secretary of the WPSA – helping to raise money for a chosen charity every year by contributing to the organisation of fun and inclusive socials.

As Chairman of the Welsh Pharmaceutical Students Association (WPSA), and in line with the Welsh School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences celebrating its centenary year, Dafydd decided to implement a series of important changes. For example, to support the first years at the start of the academic year, he helped to organise an Initiation Social which got the new students mixing before they started their first day. Under his leadership a huge range of social activities have been undertaken, leading to them raising £3,702.63 for the nominated charity, Life for African Mothers. In addition to this, Dafydd has been undertaking research about students’ views on multisector pre-reg.

Gareth is recognised by his colleagues and community alike for the significant influential and sustained contributions he makes to community pharmacy practice in Hywel Dda. Passionate about the profession, in 2018 he applied to become a Community Pharmacy Champion for the health board. Within this role Gareth has supported the health board’s community pharmacy team with developing new ideas and services, such as the pharmacy walk-in centres, the Hywel Dda community pharmacy QR boards, and the updating of the health board’s local enhanced service, Triage and Treat.

Niki always strives to do the best for his patients and community, and is keen to offer all services commissioned within the health board – old and new. During COVID-19, Niki quickly found a way to allow his patients access to the pharmacy in a safe way when they needed to physically attend. As an independent prescriber, he even wanted to extend the conditions he could treat to ensure that patients’ needs were met. When Niki realised that as the situation worsened, he would not be able to visit the care homes that he provides the Medicines Management in Care Homes service to, he took it upon himself to train the staff at the care homes.

Gareth is recognised by his colleagues and community alike for the significant influential and sustained contributions he makes to community pharmacy practice in Hywel Dda. Passionate about the profession, in 2018 he applied to become a Community Pharmacy Champion for the health board. Within this role Gareth has supported the health board’s community pharmacy team with developing new ideas and services, such as the pharmacy walk-in centres, the Hywel Dda community pharmacy QR boards, and the updating of the health board’s local enhanced service, Triage and Treat.