Is research something far away, for specialists? Or is it an everyday process, driven by curiosity, that underpins professional growth and patient care?
In this episode, we explore the value, purpose, and accessibility of research in pharmacy with guests Michelle Styles (regional manager at CPPE, and doctoral researcher) and James Higgerson (research fellow at CPPE). Together they unpack what research really means in day-to-day pharmacy practice, and how pharmacy professionals can get involved at any stage of their careers.
Michelle and James reflect also on their own journeys into research, the CPPE programmes they’ve evaluated and the practical impact their findings have had on training pathways and service development. They offer top tips for getting started, demystify common misconceptions and highlight useful resources to support pharmacy professionals in developing their confidence as researchers.
Resources
Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
In this episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, hosts Hayley Berry and Alison Butt explore the crucial and evolving topic of sustainable healthcare with two expert guests: Nuala Hampson, lead pharmacist at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, and Sharon Phleger, consultant in pharmaceutical public health at NHS Highland.
Nuala and Sharon bring extensive experience and passion for embedding sustainability into pharmacy practice. They reflect on their personal journeys into sustainable healthcare, emphasising the pivotal role pharmacy professionals play in addressing the environmental impacts of medicines and healthcare services.
Listeners will gain insights into the five principles of sustainable healthcare—prevention, patient self-care and empowerment, lean service delivery, low-carbon alternatives, and sustainable resource use—and hear practical examples of how pharmacy professionals across all sectors can take meaningful action. From improving repeat prescribing systems to considering pharmaceutical pollution in our waterways, this episode provides both inspiration and actionable ideas.
Whether you're new to sustainability or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation encourages pharmacy professionals to “put on their green goggles” and consider how everyday decisions can support both human and planetary health.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Resources
General awareness
All our health - climate change
All our health - air pollution
Education and training on Environmental sustainable healthcare programme
Sustainable healthcare courses - Centre for sustainable healthcare
Sustainable leadership for greener health and care programme
CPPE environmental sustainability learning gateway
Toolkits
Organisations/networks
Centre for sustainable healthcare
Environmental links
Our health breakthrough partnership (OHBP) homepage
Broadening the perspective on reducing pharmaceutical residues in the environment
Environmentally informed pharmaceutical prescribing in Scotland
In this episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, hosts Jo Lane and Hayley Berry are joined by Reena Sharma, CPPE Education Supervisor in Yorkshire and Humber, and Sarah Evans, Senior Learning Development Pharmacy Technician at CPPE. Together, they discuss how pharmacy professionals can advance their practice through education and self-development, using tools such as the four pillars of practice and credentialing frameworks.
Reena shares her experiences supporting pharmacists involved in the RPS Advanced Credentialing process and explains how the process builds a high-quality portfolio mapped against national standards. Sarah reflects on her own journey as a pharmacy technician, highlighting how curiosity, mentorship, and informal learning opportunities have shaped her career in education. She also introduces a new CPPE poster resource designed to help pharmacy technicians unlock their potential.
Listeners will explore how the four pillars of practice—clinical, leadership, education, and research—are relevant to all pharmacy roles, and how existing CPPE pathways and programmes can support professional development. The episode also provides guidance on engaging with education roles, regardless of job title, and demystifies entry points into research and mentorship.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Resources
CPPE Advancing your role in education pathway
CPPE Frameworks for the RPS core advanced curriculum
CPPE Getting started with research: focus on finding your place
CPPE Learning gateway for research
CPPE and PWDS Four pillars of practice for pharmacy technicians
Royal Pharmaceutical Society, RPS core advanced pharmacist curriculum
In this inspiring episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, hosts Jo Lane and Hayley Berry are joined by Sadie Pinkney, CPPE’s current Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow, and Rahul Singal, one of the first pharmacy professionals to take up the fellowship back in 2015 and now Chief Pharmacy and Medicines Information Officer at NHS England.
Together, they discuss the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellowship scheme—a prestigious, year-long leadership development programme designed to equip pharmacy professionals with the skills and networks to influence national healthcare policy and service delivery.
Sadie and Rahul offer candid insights into their experiences as fellows, including the opportunities and challenges of stepping into high-profile national roles, the importance of mentorship and professional networks, and how the fellowship has shaped their careers and leadership capabilities.
The episode also explores top tips for applying, the value of the fellowship within the wider context of pharmacy, and how it aligns with broader initiatives in inclusive leadership, talent development, and strategic thinking within the NHS.
Whether you're curious about applying for a clinical fellowship or seeking to develop as a future leader in pharmacy, this episode offers both practical advice and motivational insights.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Resources
CPPE leading for change programme
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s pharmacy leaders development programme
Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow Scheme
NHS England, Talent management resource tool
In this episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, hosts Hayley Berry and Jo Lane explore how digital health and technology are transforming pharmacy practice. Joining them are Oliver Savage, an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist in Electronic Medicines Management at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Jordan Reynolds, Lead Pharmacy Technician for EPMA and Pharmacy IT Systems at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.
Together, they discuss how electronic prescribing, AI-driven decision support, automation, and interoperability are reshaping pharmacy services, improving patient safety, efficiency, and healthcare delivery. They also share insights into emerging innovations such as robotic process automation, AI-powered medicine reviews, and virtual health solutions.
Listeners will gain a practical understanding of the digital transformation in pharmacy, including how to develop essential digital skills, overcome implementation challenges, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
If you’re a pharmacy professional keen to integrate digital tools into your clinical practice, enhance the care of people through technology, or explore career opportunities in digital pharmacy, this episode provides valuable insights and expert guidance.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Resources
CPPE How digital technology can transform care e-learning
Digital Health Rewired conference
Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, Digital ambassadorprogramme
Health Innovation Network NENC e-prescribing masterclass
YouTube, Generative AI in a nutshell
In this episode, hosts Jo Lane and Hayley Berry are joined by Ami Hale, a mental health pharmacist at Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust, and Graham Newton, Lead Pharmacist for Education and Training at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Together, they delve into the vital and sometimes challenging topic of mental health in pharmacy practice.
The discussion explores the complexities of having difficult conversations with patients, particularly around suicide, medicines optimisation and deprescribing in mental health. Ami and Graham share their experiences and insights on how pharmacy professionals can navigate sensitive discussions with empathy, confidence and professionalism.
If you’re a pharmacy professional looking to enhance your confidence in mental health consultations, or considering a career in mental health pharmacy, this episode provides valuable insights and expert guidance.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Resources mentioned
In this episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, host Jo Lane is joined by Rachael Lemon, a highly regarded pharmacy professional and leadership coach.
Together, they explore the critical topics of well-being and resilience in pharmacy practice—essential skills for navigating the high-pressure environment of healthcare.
Rachael shares insights from her career journey, discussing how pharmacy professionals can set boundaries, develop personal resilience, and foster a supportive team culture. She highlights practical strategies to maintain well-being, prevent burnout, and cultivate leadership skills at all levels.
Whether you're a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, trainee or part of a wider healthcare team, this episode offers valuable strategies to help you thrive, rather than just survive, in your role.
Listen now and take the first step toward a more resilient and sustainable pharmacy career!
Learning Outcomes
After listening to this episode, you will be able to:
Resources Mentioned
We hope you enjoyed this episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations!
Your feedback and ideas are invaluable to us. If you have thoughts on today’s discussion or suggestions for future topics, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via feedback@cppe.ac.uk.
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Join us for the last episode of Season 1! We hope you’ve enjoyed the conversations as much as we have – and Season 2 is just around the corner! So, without further ado…
Join hosts Jo Lane and Hayley Berry as they navigate deprescribing – the process of safely reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be beneficial. Joining them are two esteemed experts: Clare Howard and Jonathan Underhill, who share their wealth of experience and practical insights.
You’ll walk away with actionable guidance on deprescribing initiatives, shared decision making and the collaborative roles of multidisciplinary teams.
The discussion explores:
Tune in for an enlightening discussion filled with expert advice, practical tips and inspiring stories that showcase the transformative potential of deprescribing in modern pharmacy practice.
Learning outcomes
Resources mentioned
CPPE, Structured medication review e-course
CPPE, Shared decision making e-course
Health Innovation Network, Polypharmacy programme
Health Innovation Wessex, Polypharmacy QI posters
NHSBSA, Polypharmacy prescribing comparators
NICE, Shared decision making guidelines
Had a listen? Let us know what you think.
In this episode, hosts Hayley Berry and Jo Lane take us into the fascinating and rapidly evolving world of genomics in pharmacy.
Joining the conversation are three leading experts: Emma Groves, pharmacy lead at NHS North East and Yorkshire Genomic Medicine Service Alliance; Catherine Tucker, senior clinical pharmacist at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; and Hayley Wickins, consultant pharmacist in Genomic Medicine at NHS Central and South Genomics.
Genomics is transforming healthcare, offering the potential for personalised medicine tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. Pharmacy professionals are at the forefront of this revolution, integrating genomic insights into their practice to optimise treatment and improve patient outcomes.
The discussion explores:
The guests share their journeys, practical advice, and resources for pharmacy professionals to enhance their genomic literacy and engage with this groundbreaking area of healthcare.
Learning outcomes
Resources mentioned
British Oncology Pharmacy Association
CPPE:Introduction to genomics in pharmacy e-learning
CPPE:Genomics in pharmacy: an introduction to person-centred consultations e-learning
Medicines Learning Portal, Pharmacogenomics
National Genomics Education Programme (NHS England)
NHS Genomic Networks of Excellence
NHS North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance, PROGRESS project
Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pharmacogenomics – the future of pharmacy
UK Clinical Pharmacy Association, Genomics community
In our next episode… we will focus on deprescribing.
Had a listen? Let us know what you think.
In this episode of the CPPE Pharmacy Conversations podcast, hosts Jo Lane and Sejal Parikh explore the critical topic of patient safety with a focus on the medicines valproate and topiramate.
They are joined by Tony Jamieson, a leading figure in patient safety at NHS England, and Shy Teli, who has been instrumental in developing educational resources around the safe use of valproate.
The conversation begins with an introduction to the significance of valproate in treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder, as well as the severe risks associated with its use during pregnancy. We then discuss the complexities of ensuring patient safety, particularly in the context of women of childbearing age who are prescribed valproate.
Learning outcomes
Resources and organisations mentioned
Had a listen? Let us know what you think.
In our next episode… we will focus on genomics.
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In this episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, hosts Jo Lane and Rina Babla are joined by two distinguished guests, Fran Garraghan, a consultant pharmacist specialising in antimicrobial stewardship, and Dr Kieran Hand, national pharmacy and prescribing clinical lead for NHS England’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) program.
With World Antimicrobial Resistance Week approaching, this timely discussion delves into one of the most critical public health challenges of our time: antimicrobial resistance.
The conversation covers a range of topics, from the national and global landscape of AMR to the specific roles that pharmacy professionals can play in combating the issue. The guests share insights on the current trends, highlight the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and discuss practical initiatives that professionals can take both in hospital settings and community pharmacies.
Key topics include:
Learning outcomes
Useful resources:
CPPE, Antimicrobial resistance learning gateway
UK Health Security Agency, World AMR Awareness Week 2024 Toolkit
Had a listen? Let us know what you think.
In our next episode… we will focus on patient safety.
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In our second episode, hosts Hayley Berry and Sarah Hounsell dive into the evolving world of pharmacist prescribers, showcasing how pharmacists are increasingly taking on roles that extend beyond traditional pharmacy practices. They speak with three pharmacist prescribers: Kayleigh Davison, Suhrab Sayfi and James Williams – all of whom are making significant contributions across different healthcare settings.
Tune in and hear valuable insights for pharmacists considering a move into prescribing, and for anyone interested in the broader implications of pharmacist prescribers in healthcare.
Learning outcomes
Resources and organisations mentioned
Had a listen? Let us know what you think.
In our next episode… we will focus on antimicrobial stewardship.
Find CPPE
The inaugural episode of CPPE's Pharmacy Conversations podcast series dives into the crucial topic of leadership within the profession. In this episode, our hosts Jo Lane and Hayley Berry welcome two distinguished leaders in pharmacy: Jane Brown and Nicola Stockmann.
Their conversation explores key trends and exciting innovations in pharmacy, and addresses the importance of continuous professional development and education. Jane and Nicola also discuss how aspiring pharmacy leaders professionals can influence policy and advocate for the profession, and share some personal insights on mentoring and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Learning outcomes
Resources mentioned
Had a listen? Let us know what you thought.
In our next episode… we will focus on prescribing and the evolving role of pharmacy professionals in this critical area.
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