166 Claire Brandish
166 Claire Brandish: The Antimicrobial Stewardship Series: Protecting Tomorrow's Medicine (Episode 4)
In this special episode of Pharmacist Diaries, recorded live during World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, I welcome back Claire Brandish, a distinguished leader in antimicrobial stewardship and global health.
Claire Brandish currently works as the Lead Anti-Infectives pharmacist at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Senior Antimicrobial Resistance Technical Advisor for the Commonwealth Pharmacist Association. In her role, she supports the Fleming funded Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship Scheme (CwPAMS). As a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's Global Health Fellow, Claire has successfully delivered three CwPAMS projects between the NHS and health-partners in the UK and Uganda.
Named a "Woman to Watch" in 2021 by the Pharmaceutical Journal, Claire works as an independent prescriber and actively participates in regular antimicrobial stewardship ward rounds as part of the multidisciplinary team. She is an active member of both the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association Pharmacy Infection Network and the South-Central Antimicrobial Pharmacist Network, where she contributes to sharing best practices, developing innovative ideas, and creating tools and guidelines in antimicrobial stewardship.
Global Health Journey
Claire's journey into global health began as a volunteer on the Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, a UK aid-funded initiative. Through LinkedIn networking, she connected with Makerere University and Nottingham Trent University, leading to partnerships in Uganda. The work expanded from initial volunteer efforts to securing the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's Global Health Fellowship, where Claire and her colleagues worked on strengthening antimicrobial resistance awareness in Uganda's Wakiso district.
International Impact and Learning
The partnership work in Uganda involved:
Collaborating with healthcare practitioners from a One Health perspective, including veterinary and environmental health scientists
Implementing sustainable solutions like providing hand washing facilities on remote islands
Addressing challenges with substandard and falsified medicines
Working with dental and veterinary professionals to understand their unique perspective on antimicrobial use
Career Development and Consultant Pharmacist Journey
Claire shared her three-year journey to becoming a credentialed consultant pharmacist, discussing:
The importance of finding expert mentors and seeking honest feedback
Navigating personal challenges, including grief and loss of passion for pharmacy
Using coaching support to regain focus and motivation
The value of putting yourself in uncomfortable positions to grow professionally
The significance of documenting evidence and reflecting on achievements
Future of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Looking ahead, Claire emphasises:
The importance of integrated care systems and One Health approaches
Collaboration across different healthcare settings including care homes, prisons, and community services
Engaging with diverse stakeholders, from veterinarians to communications teams
The need to make antimicrobial resistance awareness part of everyday conversations
Working with health advocates to reach communities through various channels
Key Takeaways
Global health partnerships offer valuable opportunities for professional growth and knowledge exchange
Success in healthcare leadership requires continuous learning, mentorship, and willingness to step outside comfort zones
Effective antimicrobial stewardship requires collaboration across multiple healthcare sectors and disciplines
Personal development and career progression often involve overcoming challenges and maintaining resilience
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CONNECT WITH CLAIRE:
LinkedIn: Claire Brandish
Donate to antibiotic guardians in Uganda as part of this series for World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW)
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