
World Pharmacy Technicians Day is an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contribution of Pharmacy Technicians, recognising their essential role in ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care for patients across hospital and community settings.
Within the South Eastern Trust, Pharmacy Technicians play a key part in supporting the delivery of high-quality pharmacy services, working alongside Pharmacists and multidisciplinary teams to manage medicines safely and efficiently. Within the South Eastern Trust, they are involved in a wide range of services, from dispensing and medicines management, to supporting aseptic preparation and procurement.
One of the many unsung heroes in the Ulster Hospital’s Pharmacy Department is Chief Pharmacy Technician, Martin Allsopp.
At the time of choosing an all-important career path, Martin explained how he had applied for two jobs, “One was a Porter, the other a Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (ATO). I got the ATO post,” said Martin.
Martin added how much he loves working in such a fast paced environment, “I enjoy training new members of staff, getting the best out of them and helping them realise their own potential. We want to build staff up and help them get to where they want to go in their career. I really enjoy seeing the progress of staff.”
Martin reflected on his own career and how he was in a very “privileged position” when he was nominated to go forward to become a Pharmacy Technician. Martin added, “I went back to night school, qualified and have never looked back. I did not expect it to become a career and it did.”
Pharmacy Assistant, Rebecca Starrett commented, “I started out as an Assistant Technical Officer in the Aseptics Team. During that time, the staff really motivated me, so I applied for the Student Technician course last year and was lucky enough to get it. I am now in the second year of the course.”
Rebecca continued, “I always had a great interest in healthcare and when I found out about the Pharmacy course, it sounded perfect to me. You do not need a degree and you get trained on the job and get paid while you are learning.
“I love the people I work with and feel like I am making an impact.”
Senior Pharmacy Technician, Rebecca Reid remarked, “I like the fact that everything we do and every aspect of our job works alongside the ward staff in putting patient experience at the forefront. Our priority is to ensure that the patient experience is top level. I really like being able to help and give back.”