Pharmacy Dean Visit Highlights Excellence of Training at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) Pharmacy was delighted to welcome Elen Jones, Pharmacy Dean at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), to the Royal Gwent Hospital on Friday 17 April.

During her visit, Elen toured key pharmacy service areas and met with pharmacy staff and HEIW trainees based at the Royal Gwent Hospital. The visit showcased the breadth of HEIW-commissioned training programmes delivered by ABUHB Pharmacy and celebrated the consistently high quality of education, supervision and support provided across the service.

Jonathan Simms, Clinical Director of Pharmacy at ABUHB, said the visit was an important opportunity to demonstrate how investment in workforce training is enabling pharmacy teams to expand their clinical contribution in line with national priorities, adding that it was “fantastic to see these training opportunities being put into practice to improve patient care.”

The visit also reflected the positive feedback received from trainees about their experiences within ABUHB, recognising the dedication and expertise of pharmacy teams in developing the current and future workforce.

Lisa Forey, Head of Pharmacy – Operational Services at ABUHB, highlighted the organisation’s pride in staff commitment to training and development, noting that the expansion of training pathways, particularly for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants, has delivered clear benefits. “Elen’s visit provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate these achievements, and to reinforce our shared commitment to continue to work in partnership with HEIW to build and support the pharmacy workforce of today and the future."

Elen Jones, Pharmacy Dean at HEIW, said:
“It was a real privilege to visit the Pharmacy team at The Royal Gwent Hospital and to hear directly from people currently on HEIW programmes as well as those who have previously benefited. Seeing how they are now putting their skills into action, improving medicines safety and efficiency for patients as key members of the wider multidisciplinary team, was inspiring.”

The visit reinforced the shared commitment between ABUHB and HEIW to deliver against the ambitions set out in the HEIW Pharmacy Workforce Strategy and Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, while strengthening partnership working and celebrating ABUHB Pharmacy’s leading role in shaping the future of the profession in Wales.