Keynote speaker at the conference was the Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething AM who took the opportunity of his conference speech to announce a further financial investment from the Welsh government into developing clinical skills of pharmacists.
“I’m very pleased to be at the PDA #welshpharmaceuticalconference today to announce a new £100,000 funding package for pharmacist training.” – Vaughan Gething AM
The minister emphasised the importance of ensuring that the pharmacy workforce has the right skills to deliver “A Healthier Wales”, Welsh Government’s long-term plan for health and social services. The new backing will fund specialist clinical skills training for 50 pharmacists across Wales, to be delivered by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW). It will focus on managing minor ailments, traditionally not included in initial pharmacy training.
Pictured L to R: Mark Koziol, Chair of PDA – Claire Ward PDA Director of Public Affairs – Vaughan Gething AM, Minster for Health & Social Care – Helen Lewis, PDA Regional Official for Wales – Russell Goodway, Cheif Executive of Community Pharmacy Wales – Richard Evans, PDA Union Executive member for Wales
Overall the discussion at conference showed that in Wales there are strong working relationships and positive practices in pharmacy supporting a strategy that respects pharmacists as clinical health professionals and is investing in their future. This matched well to the conference title of “Moving from supply to services: Managing the risks, embracing the opportunities“.
The packed one day event was chaired by Claire Ward and other speakers included:
- Russell Goodway – Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Wales
- Andrew Evans – Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Wales
- Mark Koziol – Chair, The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA)
- Niall Downey FRCSI – Doctor and Airline Pilot
- Helen Lewis – PDA Regional Official for Wales
- John Lloyd-Jones – Sheppards Pharmacy
- Emma Williams – (NHS) Lead Pharmacist, Community Pharmacy and Primary Care, Cwm Taf Local Health Board
This conference programme, delivered in partnership with Medical Communications Limited is just one way that PDA members can interact with our organisation and we encourage all members to participate in our events when they can. On the evening of the conference Medical Communications held their 11th annual pharmacy awards at which PDA are proud to sponsor and present the Student Leadership Award.
You can read more about the Minister’s announcement here