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Let’s work together to provide expert care and services

A message from Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist:

I am delighted to step into the role of Superintendent Pharmacist, representing you and the work that you do in your pharmacies across the UK. I am very proud of the difference we make to our customers and patients and the role we play in the profession of pharmacy, so to be asked to undertake the role of Superintendent is a real honour.

I joined Boots in 1996 and enjoyed working as part of the relief team covering the Midlands region, eventually settling in Loughborough where I worked while raising my three children for many happy years. In 2010, I took the opportunity to work in the Superintendent’s team in the Nottingham Support Office supporting our pharmacies in a different way, developing new services and practising as an Independent Prescriber as part of the Boots Online Clinics Team, which, at the time, was one of the first of its kind. My passion for developing the future for community pharmacy and pharmacy professionals continues and I look forward to leading for change that enables our professionals to provide expert care and services, supported by advances in technology and new capability, such as independent prescribing in the pharmacy setting.

As Superintendent Pharmacist, one of my key priorities will be patient safety, with focus on ensuring that no harm comes to any of our patients as a result of the interventions that we do or don’t make. I will work with my team to ensure that the procedures and standards we provide to you through our SOPs and protocols help to ensure an efficient and safe operating environment. This month sees the launch of refreshed Responsible Pharmacist SOPs (in a digital format), with guidance documents to underpin their implementation. Your full compliance with these SOPs is critical to maintaining (and evidencing) patient safety. Please ensure that all pharmacy team members undertake the necessary training and implement these SOPs within the required timeframe.

Over the coming months I look forward to spending time in stores talking to you and your pharmacy teams and exploring ways to continually improve how my team can support you in your day-to-day practice, based on insights and feedback. I’m very proud of what we stand for in Boots and of the difference we make. Together we can forge the right role for Pharmacy in partnership with the NHS, inspire and empower our customers, and have exciting and fulfilling careers for ourselves. I’m looking forward to working with all of you and to meeting many of you soon.