Sinead Holmes

As the lead divisional pharmacist for medicine and acute specialities my strategic remit has broadened greatly in the past year. Recent audit projects have allowed me to experience first hand the importance of designing data collection tools to measure specific performance indicators as well as evaluating quality and overall importance to stakeholders. Revisiting all of the medical specialities and providing a clinical pharmacy service to those wards has been exciting and rewarding after a lengthy period within the surgical division. Management of a large team (with direct line management responsibilities for ten senior staff members) has been challenging and worthwhile. It has been a great opportunity to hone communication and negotiation skills but also to learn from colleagues and self reflect. The challenges arise from healthy debate and differing perspectives. It has been a pleasure developing relationships with the medical consultants, nursing staff and directorate managers and embedding into the divisional team.