Doing it by yourself.

ABSTRACT

The DoH (1999) describes how it 'needs leaders who are motivated, self aware, socially skilled and able to work together with others across professional and organisational boundaries'. Self-medication incorporates all professional groups and divisions within Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust; we work in partnership with the pharmacy departments. The main purpose of any organisation in the health and social sector is to ensure that a high quality service is delivered to service users (Martin 2001), so self-medication is now being given the attention it deserves. Assessment will be integral to every service user's stay and will continue throughout their stay, including transfer from secondary to primary care. It is expected that following its introduction, quality will improve; patients will receive their medication on time and it is anticipated that discharge delays will reduce. We acknowledge however that this will be difficult to demonstrate, as often medical conditions are cited as reasons for admission, not non-compliance with medication regimes. We see ourselves as being competent in the roles of change agents and our styles have changed throughout the process. We have worked together as equals and focused on one outcome. It will call on all our professional and educational skills to mould staff so that they are ready to embrace the change. Perhaps the lesson that has been learned so far is that, despite meticulous planning, the actions of others for whom we are not responsible can seriously disrupt the plan. The opportunity to manage change through experiential learning, reflection and the transfer of knowledge has been challenging while enhancing our personal growth and self-awareness. The project has been extended until March 2004 because of the merger and the associated increased workload. Becoming a project manager, leader and change agent has proved to be an exciting, interesting and challenging experience, although at times we felt isolated. The project has now entered a phase that involves intense staff training and phase one of introduction.