Speaking in English!

[dippsy]

Just a quick question. Have just finished a rather long locum. Working with a second pharmacist whose grasp of English is pretty much in question. I thought I was being a bit too hard on the poor guy (he was really nice guy after all). On the way home, the dispenser also made the same comment.

Concerns ....

1) how can the GPhC allow somebody to qualify if they barely speak the language (even though they are from the EU)
2) surely this impacts on patient perception of us as a profession
3) how can more complex advice be given when the pharmacist is struggling with even basic English

Has anybody else experienced this? ... Or am I being a paranoid and senile pharmacist who should really retire ))

[Defblade]

Without further comment, from PJonline:

European pharmacists will not be vetted on their English language skills by the General Pharmaceutical Council, whereas the General Medical Council has been given explicit new powers to be able to take action against doctors when there are concerns about their ability to speak English.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley announced yesterday (4 October 2011) at the Conservative party conference in Manchester that the Department of Health will go back on its previous interpretation of the European Directive that prevents regulatory bodies from testing the English language competence of Europe-qualified healthcare professionals (see Panel) so that the GMC is allowed to do so.

However, a spokesman for the DoH told PJ Online that the announcement does not apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council and “does not extend to pharmacists”.

[sparkybw]

So basically the same situation as we already have with Doctors whose grasp of English leaves a lot to be be desired. I guess the only real solution will be for patients to complain and sue the backsides off those Doctors/Pharmacists whose lack of English leads to mistakes. I would also like to see those people who have knowingly employed someone whose English is not up to scratch being sued as well for endangering patients and contributing to any mistakes that have occurred. They might then get the message.

There's no grey area here at all. Your English should be up to standard and understandable by those with whom you are in contact or you shouldn't be doing the job in this country. End of.

[dippsy]

Agree with you completely. The Dr issue came about after the German out of hours doctor incident a while back. The problem here is that as pharmacists, we are dealing with potentially toxic drugs almost every minute of every day - CDs and cytotoxics to name just two categories.

My worry is about trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. Do we really need somebody to be seriously injured or even die before this is taken seriously?

Is there a reason why pharmacists will not be vetted even though doctors are? It simply does not make sense to me.

[johnep]

Pharmacists are regarded as someone who just follows direction with no intelligent input. Therefore language skills of no importance.
johnep

[johannes]

Pharmacists are regarded as someone who just follows direction with no intelligent input. Therefore language skills of no importance.
johnep

You got it!

Ehm, pharmacists are regarded as someone who just controls the hopefully right directions with hyper-intelligent input, anywhere.
Therefore, not only language skills are of major impotance.

BTW, sometimes it might be advantageous for them reading in the crystal ball.