Pharmacy gets the Neurology Academy educational makeover

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Joela Mathews

Lead neuroscience pharmacist, Barts Health NHS Trust

We are delighted that the first Neuropharmacist MasterClass will be held in 2019 (module 1 in January and module 2 in October). This over subscribed within days, showing the lack of existing training for specialist pharmacists. Rachel Dorsey and Joela Mathews who are chairing the Neuropharmacy MasterClass, are already members of the MS Academy Faculty and have worked together to come up with a syllabus that will ensure there is sharing of best practice and ideas whilst also reinforcing the baseline knowledge that should be held by a specialist neurology pharmacist.

As specialist neuroscience pharmacists, there are limited opportunities to learn about the range of conditions from expert pharmacists and other members of the MDT. The network built up from the cohorts that come through the MasterClass will enable colleagues to learn from each other whilst also being able to question each other for specialist advice.

The topics covered were chosen by looking at the opportunities for pharmacists to make an impact on patient outcomes. Speakers include experts from the range of courses already co-ordinated by the Neurology Academy and bring new members into the Faculty of the Academy. Speakers should also benefit from hearing from pharmacists on the services, expertise and opportunities they can offer the multi-disciplinary team, which are often under-utilised.

For pharmacists, revalidation has undergone a revamp and from 2019, it is expected that a peer discussion is had with a colleague. Therefore, as part of the Neuropharmacy MasterClasses, the opportunity is available for delegates to request a peer discussion that can be submitted to the GPhC as part of the revalidation process.

Although the first MasterClass is already fully booked, we do plan to arrange future MasterClasses to ensure that an army of neuropharmacists is developed who will work with neurologists to make sure patient outcomes are always optimised in all neurological conditions.

Future ambitions include working with the wider network of the Neurology Academy to ensure that every neurology department has a specialist neuroscience pharmacist who has undertaken training from the Academy.

Register your interest for the next Neuropharmacy MasterClass, planned for 2019.

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Developing neuropharmacists, supporting collaborative care

Knowledgeable pharmacists can initiate or support new treatment pathways, play an important role in patient education, medicine adherence, efficacy and safety, and provide advice to other healthcare professionals involved in the person's care. This Academy recognises the value of this essential role, and seeks to enhance pharmacist's clinical skills and build their confidence in managing a range of neurological conditions.