Here at SWGP we have lots of room for progression. We decided to ask our staff about their career journeys. Our third progression story within our series is from Prab Mahal – Lead Clinical Pharmacist at Kenilworth & Warwick PCN.
Can you give us an overview of what your role entails, and your responsibilities?
“In primary care, clinical pharmacists are part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), working directly with patients to clinically assess and treat them, using their expertise in medicines to improve patient care and outcomes. The effectiveness of clinical pharmacists in a general practice setting has been proven through the Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice programme.
As the lead clinical pharmacist for my PCN, I oversee the strategy for the clinical pharmacy team and provide clinical and professional mentorship to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
I split my time between leadership duties and patient-facing work across two practices. In addition to my patient care responsibilities, such as medication reviews and chronic disease management, my main lead duties are outlined below:
- Coordinate the work of the PCN pharmacy team to support Network DES delivery including Structured Medication Review and Medicines Optimisation targets.
- Ensuring collaboration between pharmacist and technicians within the team
- Mentorship of team – support team to progress in roles and providing a voice for the pharmacy team
- Review PCN pharmacy team progress regularly with KPI’s and targets
- Develop links with community and secondary care pharmacy teams
- Work closely with PCN management team e.g. Clinical directors to ensure PCN priorities are met and provide feedback
- Quality improvement work – Clinical Audit
- Support delivery of evidence-based care pathways, protocols and clinical guidelines.
- Provide expert clinical advice to clinical pharmacists, technicians and wider MDT.
- Support critical incident reviews”
What was your first role in the NHS, when did you start and how have you progressed?
“I began my career in 2014 as a pre-registration pharmacist with the Heart of England Foundation Trust, where I worked as a rotational clinical pharmacist across various specialties, including infectious disease, gastroenterology, and surgery. I later became a Senior Pharmacist at UHCW, specialising in elderly care and medicines information, while completing my postgraduate clinical diploma.
In 2018, I joined the NHSE pilot for clinical pharmacists in primary care, and worked across three surgeries in South Warwickshire. After PCNs were established, I moved to Kenilworth and Warwick, where I successfully obtained my prescribing qualification.
In 2021, I became a lead pharmacist, a role I thoroughly enjoy and continue to hold. I also contribute to clinical pharmacist training through online resources and CPPE mentorship”
What’s a motto you live by, when it comes to your growth/development?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
“This emphasises the importance of personal growth and continuous improvement. It encourages people to do their best with the knowledge and skills they currently have. However, as they gain new insights, understanding, or experience, they should adapt and improve their actions based on that new knowledge. The message promotes self-awareness and the idea that learning is an ongoing process, with the goal of becoming better as we grow and evolve”
What would you suggest to anyone else in a similar role, who is looking to progress at SWGP?
“Communication is key – have an open discussion with your PCN manager or Clinical Director to discuss your current role and what opportunities are available now or in 6 months’ time.
Reflect on whether you would like progression in a leadership role or whether you would like to pursue clinical development. Consider any medicines optimisation projects or clinical audit you could support your PCN with and take advantage of any learning opportunities offered with the C&W Training Hub”
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next five years?
“With over 8,500 pharmacists now working in general practice, their presence has become indispensable to patient care. I hope this momentum endures and the role continues to develop for both
pharmacists and technicians. I would like to remain in a lead role as I enjoy the mentorship and educational aspect of my role and showcasing the talents of the excellent pharmacists and technicians within our PCN team. I hope to see the role of a pharmacist develop clinically to include more complex patients within multi-morbidity structured medication review clinics and managing acute presentations such as minor ailments to enable pharmacists to manage patients independently. I would like to undertake innovative and collaborative projects with secondary care pharmacy teams. Within the PCN I would like my role to develop within the field of research and support with new initiatives”