…..If this year is anything to go by, I have seen some excellent pharmacy professionals benefitting from the year-long course. Amongst the 2015-16 cohort, there has been a diversity of roles and responsibilities and sectors of work from both students and tutors, resulting in some invaluable experience shared, discussions had and networking opportunities. Many students have come from a background of recent change either within the workplace or personal changes in job roles and the course has equipped students with a selection of tools to help deal with some of the more complex and challenging aspects of management and leadership. It is also wonderful to see so many fellow students go on to apply for new jobs and take on exciting new roles.

Personally, my practice has changed through the opportunity to embed previous learning and experience with further learning at a higher level and being in a position to put my learning into practice. I have very much valued the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals on a regular basis in a learning environment. We have been challenged on current thinking and encouraged to approach problems from different perspectives. Fellow students have found the support with project management, understanding budgets or review of NHS structure and agenda particularly useful. For me, the most important aspect of the course has not been what I’ve learnt but how I’ve applied it and doing that in a style which is appropriate for me, and both my team as individuals as well as a whole. I now move forward with continued personal drive and desire for positive change both within my own hospital trust and the pharmacy profession. I think that this course provides excellent all round development of individuals and addresses many different learning needs. I would encourage all those contemplating change to embrace all opportunities for further personal development and learning.