RPS Wales has joined forces with the All Wales Medicines Safety Network to lead a renewed focus on medicines safety.
The All Wales Medicines Safety Symposium, held in Cardiff on Friday 2 December, brings together pharmacists, nurses and other professionals with an interest in transforming care to increase the quality and safety of medicines use in Wales.
Human factors have formed a central part of the symposium with a focus on culture, personal resilience and co-producing care through meaningful conversations with patients. The event has also given delegates the opportunity to learn about new techniques and tools for professional practice and to understand more about psychological safety.
The event is the first in-person medicines safety event since the pandemic began and builds on the reputation and success of the RPS Wales Medicines Safety Conference which previously was a staple feature in the health events calendar in Wales.
Commenting on the event, Elen Jones, RPS Director for Wales said:
“We are delighted to be bringing a medicines safety event back to Wales. This year’s symposium takes us back to the roots of our annual medicines safety conference, with a focus on the benefits of working in multi-disciplinary teams and understanding the impact of professional culture on improving medicines safety.
"We are excited to be progressing this event in collaboration with colleagues from the All Wales Medicines Safety Network and providing opportunities for pharmacists and other professions to learn together and discuss solutions for the future."
Also commenting on the event, Dr Lynette James, All Wales Consultant Pharmacist for Acute Care and Medicines Safety and member of the All Wales Medicines Safety Network said:
“Medicines safety must be at the heart of health care delivery in Wales and all steps must be taken to avoid harm to patients. Health professionals are under significant pressure and need time to step back and learn about new techniques and approaches to care. This event provides a great opportunity to do just that, as well as encouraging learning from across professions, allowing time to plan solutions to challenges in the workplace and developing professional networks for ongoing support.
"The All Wales Medicines Safety Network is very pleased to be working closely with RPS Wales in delivering this important event and we look forward to fostering this collaboration further in the future.”