144 Shilpa Patel

In this episode of Pharmacist Diaries, I had the pleasure of chatting with Shilpa Patel, a pharmacist who made a successful transition from community pharmacy to a GP practice. This is a 3-part series so make sure you tune into all the episodes and you will gain so much insight into the world of GP practice from this incredibly talented and inspiring pharmacist.

Before I dive into the episode itself, let me introduce you to Shilpa. Originally from Norway, Shilpa is proud to be among the pioneering GP pharmacist partners in the UK. With a background of 17-years in community pharmacy and 8 years as a clinical pharmacist, she has garnered extensive expertise in both sectors. Shilpa has cultivated a deep understanding of general practice by leading and mentoring a team of ten pharmacists, effectively guiding them to excel in their roles. She has evolved into a valued leader and is able to identify strengths and weaknesses in staff, colleagues and processes which enables her to deliver clinical services efficiently and effectively. She has also established a streamlined independent prescribing training service and has acted as DPP for 18 prescribers in the last three years. Shilpa has also lead on a large scale successful GP merger, initiated and managed a highly acclaimed benzodiazepine detox clinic serves as the medication lead for a practice catering to 25,000 patients and has introduced creative and innovative measures to contribute towards patient care. Shilpa’s contributions extend beyond practice. She actively writes for the Chemist & Druggist, The Pharmacist and EmpowHER, inspiring fellow pharmacists to explore new areas and pursue excellence.

In the beginning of this episode, Shilpa shares her inspiring journey of leaving a toxic work environment in community pharmacy to finding fulfillment and purpose in her role as a GP practice pharmacist. We dive into Shilpa's background, where she highlights the importance of reflecting on what you truly want from your career. You can watch or listen to Shilpa’s full career journey as we recorded this episode a couple of years ago (Episode 75).

The bulk of this episode highlights the value of transferrable skills, resilience, and the ability to multitask that community pharmacists possess, which are essential in a GP practice setting. Shilpa discusses the business side of working in a GP practice, emphasising the need to understand the financial aspects, prescribing patterns, and the overall functioning of the practice. She shares valuable tips for pharmacists looking to transition to a GP practice, including researching the practice beforehand and understanding its challenges and opportunities.

Furthermore, Shilpa talks about her initiative, Ask Shilpa, a comprehensive website where she shares her knowledge and experience accumulated over eight years in general practice. This resource serves as a training tool for pharmacists entering the field and has been widely utilised by healthcare professionals.

Overall, Shilpa's journey exemplifies the power of taking risks, embracing change, and continuously learning and growing in one's career. Her story serves as a beacon of inspiration for pharmacists looking to carve out a fulfilling career path. Stay tuned for the next episodes where we dive deeper into Shilpa's experiences in building a team of pharmacists within the GP practice setting. Don't forget to check out Ask Shilpa for valuable insights and resources. See you in the next episode!

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CONNECT WITH SHILPA:

Shilpa has a substantial following on LinkedIn where she inspires and motivates health professionals. She provides mentoring and training as well as advice on GP services, optimising income streams, achieving CQC targets, prescribing guidelines and encourages her followers to make the most of the profession with an aim to make a difference in the world of pharmacy.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shilpapharmacist/

Website: https://askshilpa.com

FILMED AND EDITED BY:

Sunjay Vyas: ⁠https://www.sunjav.uk/⁠

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