By Neil Trainis

The PSNC has said its chief transformation officer Robbie Turner, who was appointed to the role in July to help LPCs implement the Review Steering Group’s recommendations, will vacate the position this month after he released a statement revealing he has decided to leave the pharmacy profession.

In the statement published today on LinkedIn and Twitter, Turner (pictured) said it was time to move on from pharmacy after almost 30 years having been chief officer of Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire then director for England and director of pharmacy and member experience at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Turner, who was taken on by the PSNC on an interim basis, will become director of inclusion and diversity at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The PSNC’s director of contractor and LPC support James Wood told Independent Community Pharmacist the negotiator has already responded to his departure by informing LPCs about “a fixed-term secondment opportunity” for up to two LPC chief officers or other LPC staff as LPC transformation champions.

“Following the successful delivery of phase one of our (transforming pharmacy representation programme) LPC toolkit, Robbie Turner will be leaving PSNC in November. Robbie’s short-term interim role has helped us set up a complex programme of work putting in place processes which will enable successful implementation of TAPR and support for LPCs,” Wood said.

“Whilst we are disappointed that he is leaving, we wish Robbie well in his new role and thank him for his support and input. As we move into a second phase of support for LPCs, we will need to work even more closely with LPCs and want to tap into the vast expertise that exists in the network.”

Turner said he had “worked with some amazing teams” during his time in pharmacy and each one had stayed with him “in its own unique way.”

“From my first pharmacy role counselling on the use of dozens of bottles of flucloxacillin suspension every Sunday before noon, when I worked as a counter assistant, to the most recent, launching a big ambitious change programme across community pharmacy representation, each role has given me the chance and purpose to grow,” he said.

“But, one role, one purpose, will stay with me as a fundamental; starting and leading RPS on its inclusion and diversity journey, working with amazing people within the organisation and across pharmacy.

“Together we showed the importance of professional leadership in taking a stand. Taking a stand against racism. Taking a stand against misogyny. Taking a stand against bigotry in all its forms.”