The South Eastern Trust celebrated the expertise, dedication and vital contribution of its Pharmacist Teams to mark World Pharmacist Day, highlighting the important role Pharmacists play in supporting patients throughout their healthcare journey.
From admission to discharge, Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting patients to receive safe, effective and personalised care.
Their expertise extends far beyond medicines, with Pharmacy Teams working alongside patients and clinical colleagues to ensure medicines are prescribed, administered and used safely and effectively. From checking prescriptions and advising clinical teams, to supporting patients to understand and manage their medicines, Pharmacists provide specialist knowledge that is an essential part of high-quality patient care.
South Eastern Trust, Lead Pharmacist for Specialist Medicines and Homecare Services, Richard Lennon, explained how the role is ultimately about helping patients get the most from their treatment.
Richard said, “Being a Pharmacist is not just about handling medicines. It is about supporting patients to make sure they get the best out of those medicines.
“I have been based at the Ulster Hospital Pharmacy Department since 1999, having completed my Pre Registration in 1997. As Pharmacists, we are especially interested in using digital tools such as My Care to make healthcare more accessible and more convenient for our patients. At the moment, we are exploring how the encompass My Care app can make it easier for patients receiving specialist medicines from the hospital to interact with their Pharmacy Team.
“The pilot is looking at how patients can request ongoing prescriptions through the My Care app. This is an exciting opportunity to use technology to make the patient experience simpler and more convenient.”
Pharmacists also play a crucial role in some of the Trust’s busiest and most clinically complex environments. Emergency Department Lead Pharmacist, Philip Lappin, explained how his role is focused on supporting patient safety in the Emergency Department.
Philip commented, “I have always had an interest in science and numbers, so Pharmacy was a good fit for me. I get to utilise that every day as the Lead Pharmacist in the Emergency Department. There is always something to keep me on my toes!”
Philip highlighted the important role Pharmacists play in supporting clinical teams caring for patients in the Emergency Department, “I think the work that we as Pharmacists do is paramount for patient safety. Medication is becoming ever more complex.
“We collaborate with the Doctors and Nurses working in the Emergency Department and support them with our expert advice on how to safely use medications and for specialist information on how to appropriately use and source antidotes for a patient.”
Trainee Pharmacist Matilda Ely Teng, who joined the Pharmacy Team from Queen’s University in August, said the opportunity to put her university learning into practice while supporting patients is an important part of her role.
Matilda added, “As part of my role, I get to be involved in patient care on a day-to-day basis. I get to apply what I have learnt at university and I am learning more about how medications work. Every patient is different with their own individualised treatment plan.
“Pharmacy involves medicines, clinical knowledge, and communication with different healthcare professionals. Putting the patient first is my main priority.”