Stop dwelling on changes that can’t be undone and start engaging with the challenges and opportunities at hand, Alphega members urged colleagues at a recent workshop aimed at helping businesses insulate themselves from the effects of funding cuts.

Key themes that emerged at the event included the need to develop professional services and the importance of ensuring teams are confident in handling day-to-day tasks so that the pharmacist can concentrate on core responsibilities.

Attendees spoke of a ‘Stop, start, continue’ strategy to help businesses survive:

• Stop looking backwards at changes that have already happened, and stop the delay in dealing with the current situation
• Start developing new income streams, focusing on professional services, and taking a look at processes, procedures and costs in order to drive efficiency
• Continue investing in strong teams to support patient care in the community, and continue work on patient databases.

Harrogate pharmacy owner Samina Khan, who attended the workshop, spoke of the importance of “addressing, overcoming and taking positive affirmative action that will help us and our local community”.