First Pharmacist Blog

I recently returned from a four-week placement with the PJ in London. I had a fabulous time (and recommend an internship to everyone!)

For the last three weeks, I've been working as a hospital pharmacist and was given the trauma directorate to look after: covering two orthopaedic wards, a burns and plastic surgery ward, an acute truama ward and a spinal rehabilitations unit (including the high dependency unit), plus three dispensary sessions. 

I'm working pretty much alone. No senior pharmacist supervision. No experienced technician guidance (bar spinal rehab, where a technician does most of the work.)

Being back in the hospital, and away from the shining lights of the capital, I can see why hospitals are in trouble. All I seem to find is restrictive policy or endless prohibitions; financial cuts and stressed staff; complaining patients and silly bureaucracy.

I read a recent 'news' article about vending machines in hospitals that contain high-calorie foods. Apparently, a certain doctor is of the opinion, it would seem, that vending machines in hospitals offering high-calorie snacks is the reason for the obesity epidemic. I may be being a tad dramatic here, but, really? Is this genuinely an issue?     

Reading the comments gave me even more of a thrill: "the obesity epidemic is a con" and "my main issue with hospital vending machines is not the pounds they add to your waistline but those they remove from your wallet". Are these people disturbed? I know I was.  

The NHS faces staff cuts, patient safety issues and private finance initiative short falls and I'm reading 'news' about how vending machines are the root of all evil because ill people want to eat candy bars!

One can but sigh, and hit Alt + F4.