APRIL,Edition # 23, 2001

Editors Note:

Because Computachem Services is trying to encourage near-to-retirement pharmacists to stay on and help their colleagues maintain a decent lifestyle, we thought it might help to publish the experiences of one such pharmacist.
Roy Stevenson is a successful pharmacist who has recently sold up his pharmacy, which was based in the Newcastle area.
He has definite ideas on how a locum service should be run and promoted, and will be sharing his views through the newsletter on a regular basis.
Armed with a distinctive, sometimes irreverent sense of humour, a ready wit, plus some obvious management skills, Roy is setting out on a new adventure which we hope will encourage others of a similar vintage.
We asked him a few questions.

[Editor]: Roy, tell us about yourself

[R.S]:
"I am a bit of an irreverent larrikin _ I get into trouble for saying Billy Connolly exaggerated truths, but everyone seems to miss the fact that what I say basically could be true!"
"Picture a fifty-something Scottish Pharmacist who opened a new pharmacy in a village just outside Edinburgh in 1976.
It is still trading and indeed it still has my name above the door!!
Then I saw the light and emigrated to Oz in 1981.
I opened another new pharmacy in Rathmines (NSW) in 1982, which is still trading.
Sold that one in 1986, and saw a new opportunity (three years too early), 16 kms away. Bounced along the bottom there for three years until stage two arrived.
I relocated in 1989, and incorporated a video store, which my wife ran.
The video store burst at the seams in 1995/1996, which forced a relocation into a 250 square mete store(did it ourselves - shopfitting and all - God knows how we did it).
Refitted (ourselves, again - whole thing would have cost $500k but I think we did it for under $50k!) the pharmacy to run a Pharmacist Advice franchise full-on, which I had already been doing for three or four years - in 1998.
Tried for six years in all to make Pharmacist Advice work with one pharmacist (me!).
Gave up in late 2000, and sold out and will now do five to ten years on the locum trail. I am enjoying it so far - the variety is challenging and the $$$ are good."

[Editor]: What sort of pharmacy environment did you develop?

[R.S]
"When I had my own pharmacy, I always tried to be at the cutting edge of technology, because we were told we should all strive to be there.
We had seven stations in our $1.7million turnover pharmacy.
The girls were always fixing products, margins, prices, stuffing things up, and unstuffing things up.
GST brought another set of electronic problems."
"I have sold my Pharmacy, having got fed up of trying to be professional in a one-pharmacist Pharmacist Advice Pharmacy. Problem is, the better you get at it, the more your script numbers increase, so it all becomes dog chasing its tail stuff. I thought I would get out while I am still young enough "

[Editor]: What are your experiences in the current locum environment?

[R.S]
"I find each one challenging, although sometimes frustrating. You will know that there is a large diversity of levels of practice out there. Unfortunately for almost all, the prime objective is to increase business, often at the expense of professionalism.
Morale in the profession is low. Pharmacy, especially in the country, is becoming very run down.
It needs money spent on premises and image.
But no money to spend !
We are being screwed all the time.
The Guild has advanced Quality Care as the last stand for Pharmacy _ _we have negotiated $10,000 for you.
Thanks, and well done, but the stationery, $3000 fridge, extra staff costs, and other compliance costs will more than swallow that up."

[Editor]: Can you give a specific instance?

[R.S]
"I did a couple of weeks in a pharmacy which has been handed from father to son, and has been established for 75 years. The fittings and equipment are well and truly paid for. Everything is clean and tidy, but perhaps a bit dated.
They have a pulse dial phone, but it works.
They have no Point Of Sale (POS) system, but the good old Portable Data Entry (PDE) still does the job, and the stock control seems good to me.
The register is simple - GST or no GST - just two buttons.
There is one easy to run dispensing terminal.
Maybe Pharmacy gets a bit carried away with technology.
Is it necessary?
Can the business afford it?
Does it make money?
Is it a staff/my time waster.
It is my opinion that this business could run on less staff, be just as clean/tidy/efficient/well stocked, without the need to invest in a POS system."
"Which one of us is right..?
It is a relatively unopposed Pharmacy, so he does not have to compete with anyone on price or image. He could (if he wanted to) run the pharmacy on less staff than I did _ they have no time wasting (?) computers to fiddle with.
Do we really make use of the info the POS spits out?
In regard to pricing, do we not just follow Pharmacy Direct down the toilet?"

[Editor]: Roy, having experienced locums in your own pharmacy, do you have any innovations to share that may be of interest to those still in business and those out there in locumland?

[R.S]
" It might be of interest for you to hear my observations on relievers and how to get bookings.
When I was looking for a reliever, the last thing I wanted to do was to talk to the guy.
He was almost inevitably booked anyway, and I had to phone another 10 of his mates anyway!!! One reliever told me (and I have since confirmed this, since I have become one) that when the phone rang, just as he was pouring his third glass of a rather fine red, it would inevitably be a pharmacist, who wanted to spend half and hour talking pharmacy politics, golf, the weather etc etc, when all he wanted to say was _when?_ and then _no, sorry, I am booked!
Soooo, I will set up a dedicated phone line into my home, which will have a sophisticated answering machine on the end, capable of giving nine pre-recorded messages."

"Telephone Locum Availability Service

You can check my availability, rates and references by dialling into my message/mail box.
Dial 49 75 2222 (not yet!!! I am still setting the thing up!)
You will be given a list of options.
You can select an option at any time.
Press _1_ if you would like to hear when I am available for work.
Press _2_ if you would like to hear my rates and charges.
Press _3_ if you would like to hear my rates and conditions for country work.
Press _4_ if you would like to know a little bit more about me.
Press _5_ if you would like to hear a list of pharmacists I have worked for.
Press _9_ if you would like to leave a message."

"If I am available at the time they need they leave a message, and I get back to them.
No more of this trying to write down dates on a torn off bit of paper, while trying to hold your mobile between ear and shoulder, on a shockingly poor signal.
A colleague of mine has tried a web site for a couple of years, but has been forced to admit that it doesn't work very well for him.
He claims he gets more result from a mail out.
I then send a written confirmation detailing dates hours and rates, along with an estimated cost.
Usually the only thing I am unsure of is the mileage, until I have done the job.
I then confirm again, one month before the job.
I am also preparing a tri-fold mail-out brochure, which will promote myself, and the Telephone Locum Availability Service. This brochure might form part of a web page if I decide to do it.
I have a very large Excel spreadsheet to run my bookings."

[Editor]: Roy, this all sounds very sophisticated, but how do you manage all this when you are on the road for an extended period?

[R.S]
"You should see what I carry around in the boot of my car ... a mini office... a laptop, a printer. a scanner, countless folders, and my mobile phone. I just find a corner, and set up. Mind you (good Scottish expression!) I bounce up INSTANTLY anything happens in the pharmacy - I am in total control.!!"

[Editor]: With all this sophistication Roy, what do your clients think about your service?

[R.S]
Mate... I have just (today) received a large cheque - which I don't feel I earned.
Enclosed was a note "Roy, thanks for the 2 weeks - you passed the "staff test" - they said I can get you back anytime - they probably prefer you to me)"
I was deeply touched by that - I like to earn the respect and cooperation of staff."

[Editor]: Just one final question. What are your feelings about the future direction of pharmacy?

[R.S]
"I think Phamacy will split into several levels .
There will be the thrash out the scripts at high speed pharmacist, who has been doing that for years, without lifting his act.
His pharmacy will gradually be edged out by the super pharmacist in the department store, who is a new generation, modern pharmacist, who uses his knowledge and skills, and is paid accordingly, and allowed the time to do it.
There will also be the medication review pharmacists who works out of the pharmacy _ visting patients in their homes and care facility.
Perhaps his skills can be used to complement the thrasher."
ends

Editor's Note

With obvious good humour and a high degree of professionalism, it is obvious that Roy is providing a first class service, and I am sure there are a number of prospective empoyers who would like to meet Roy.
We only disagree with him slightly on one point.
A website promoting locum services, in isolation, will not work.
A website well promoted by other means (such as this newsletter) will work, as evidenced by a recent e-mail we received for an advertisement placed on behalf of a pharmacist,on the Computachem site.

"Thanks for your help in finding employment.
Mission acomplished!
Could you please remove my details from the Computachem site."

Pharmacists wishing to contact Roy can do so directly:
Roy S.Stevenson Ph.C. M.P.S.,
Locum Pharmacist
40 Northminster Way
RATHMINES 2283.
Tel 0402 406 691 Fax 0249 75 2334
ABN 11 585 465 385

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The comments and views expressed in the above article are those of the author and no other. The author welcomes any comment and interaction

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