S2, Episode 6: What Have We Learned So Far? with Stephen Riley

In this episode of Policy Unpacked, a podcast by the Global Policy Network (GPN), Ameneh Ghazal Saatchi is joined by Stephen Riley, GPN Associate and Deputy Regional Chief Pharmacist for Pharmacy Integration at NHS England Northwest, to reflect on the key insights from the Medicines in the NHS 10-Year Plan podcast series.This episode brings the main part of this series to a close, drawing together lessons from system leaders across community, hospital, and primary care pharmacy, and examining what the NHS 10-Year Plan means in practice for medicines, workforce, and patient care.The key roles and opportunities for community pharmacy under the NHS 10-Year PlanWhere hospital pharmacy can have the greatest impact over the next decadeThe central role of medicines optimisation and why it underpins system reformThe importance of pharmacy system leadership in delivering the ambitions of the PlanWhat the pharmacy workforce needs to look like to meet future demandProfessional development opportunities for pharmacists across clinical, leadership, and advocacy rolesThe evolving role of pharmacy technicians and how their contribution can be strengthenedChanges in education and training for pharmacists and technicians and how these can be built uponMaintaining a patient-centred focus while operating within constrained resourcesThe role of pharmacists within neighbourhood-based, multidisciplinary teamsThe biggest challenges and risks facing the pharmacy professionWhether the profession is ready to deliver what the NHS 10-Year Plan requiresWhat pharmacy services could look like as the Plan is realisedReflections on optimism, realism, and readiness across the sectorKey moments and standout insights from across the seriesWhere GPN should take the NHS 10-Year Plan podcast series nextKey ThemesMedicines optimisation as a system-wide enablerCommunity and hospital pharmacy transformationWorkforce development, capability, and sustainabilityPharmacy leadership at neighbourhood, system, and national levelPatient-centred care within integrated servicesDelivering long-term policy ambition through frontline practiceFollow GPN and Learn MoreGlobal Policy Network: www.globalpolicynetwork.comLinkedIn: /global-policy-network