To listen to Marc discuss the content of his lead article, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

A message from Marc Donovan, Chief Pharmacist: 

Following an exceptionally hot and dry summer, we will soon experience colder months and a winter that will, once again, put pressure on our healthcare systems. Our role in ensuring that patients are protected against influenza and COVID, and subsequently reducing the strain on the NHS, is now well established and we will soon be required to contribute to the vaccination programmes across all of the UK.

Prevention of disease is a vitally important part of healthcare, and I know that our pharmacy teams have been busy preparing to protect our patients through our winter flu programme. I recognise how busy community pharmacy is at the moment and I am very grateful for your commitment to the programme again this year. Reducing circulating flu through vaccination and protecting the most vulnerable has been shown to make a significant impact to healthcare provisions and it is a vitally important part of what we do. I would encourage you to discuss with your team the impact you have in your communities by delivering the vaccination programme, either through our mass vaccination centres or individual appointments throughout the course of your day. We all have a role to ensure that as many people as possible are protected and to further demonstrate the positive impact of community pharmacy teams.

This month, Jag and Paul from our Professional Support Helpdesk have recorded a podcast discussing the content in this Professional Standard, as well as share their experiences on professional matters that arise on the Helpdesk. You can access the podcast by clicking the play button at the bottom of the page. 

And finally, this is the last Professional Standard that I will write, as I transfer my responsibilities over to the new superintendent during September. I feel very privileged to have served as the Chief Pharmacist for over seven years, to work with a brilliant and talented team in the CPO, and to have seen many examples of the amazing, patient-centred care that you and your teams deliver on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for your continued hard work, your passion and for seeing the patient behind the prescription. I wish you all the very best in the future.