The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's acting director of pharmacy is to leave the organisation after 11 years of service to become pharmacy dean at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
Elen Jones stepped into her current role at RPS in April this year on a 15-month fixed-term basis, having previously served as director for Wales. Former roles also included principal policy advisor in Wales and policy and practice lead.
However, she is now due to leave RPS in October to take up her new position with HEIW.
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Paul Bennett, RPS chief executive, said he was 'exceptionally sorry' to see Ms Jones leave but 'delighted' to celebrate her new appointment.
'Elen has grown immensely as a leader in her time with RPS and I look forward to watching her flourish still further in her new position and to her continued support as a fellow of RPS in our journey towards establishing the future Royal College of Pharmacy,' he added.
Ms Jones said she was 'immensely proud' of her time at the RPS.
'From leading the development of the Pharmacy Vision for Wales to conducting the independent review of clinical hospital pharmacy services, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to meaningful change in practice,' she commented.
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'As I step into the [new] role, I do so at a pivotal time for pharmacy, with the advent of prescribing rights for newly qualified pharmacists and the expanding role of pharmacy technicians.’
Ms Jones added that she remains ‘deeply committed’ to the RPS vision and mission and will continue to support the organisation’s transition to a Royal College, both in her new role and as a member and fellow.
RPS said it will begin recruitment to the post of director for Wales and the role of director of pharmacy 'in due course'.
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Last month the RPS has appointed Amandeep Doll, a specialist medical pharmacist at Nottingham University Hospital Trust, as its new director for England.
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