Helen Critchlow

Experience

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  Prestwich Hospital and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

  Sept 1988 - Jan 1990

  Pharmacist
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  Bury and Rochdale Health Authority

  Jan 1990 - Apr 1997

  Pharmaceutical Adviser

  In this role I was responsible, along with the Medical Adviser, for allocating and managing GP prescribing budgets for all GP practices in Bury and Rochdale. This was managed through a full and varied programme of work, including individual practice visits, training sessions for GPs, nurses and pharmacists, data analysis and prescribing recommendations. I introduced the concept of pharmacists working with GP practices and worked closely with the local trusts to develop better prescribing relationships between consultants and GPs, thus minimising the impact that expensive prescribing decisions in secondary care had on the primary care budget.I also had responsibility for local community pharmacy issues and standards of medicine use in nursing homes. I was also seconded for a period as part of an expert team sent in to help a nearby hospital which was struggling to provide a quality pharmaceutical service.Key skills and achievements included:• Development of rational prescribing within Bury & Rochdale to exceed national targets and achieve locally agreed objectives• Effective management of prescribing resources through GP budget allocation and monitoring • Promotion of closer working between hospital pharmacists & doctors, and GPs, resulting in district-wide agreement on prescribing policies• The ability to quickly appraise and manage all issues relating to prescribing and community pharmacy, in a rapidly changing environment• The ability to understand the interfaces between primary, secondary & tertiary care, and the effective management of prescribing across these interfaces• Excellent IT skills, presentation skills, and a broad experience of teaching, tutoring and organising training for health professionals Show less

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  Ascribe Plc

  Apr 1997 - Sept 2014

  Decision Support Pharmacist

  Having established the ASCribe Decision Support Service, I remained a member of the team of pharmacists, technicians and developers responsible for the development of computerised decision support for hospital pharmacy and electronic prescribing systems. The team is involved in all aspects of database design, maintenance, quality control and enhancement, ensuring that we constantly anticipate the needs of the changing healthcare market. The role requires clinical skills, to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of clinical data used by prescribers, such as dosing information, drug interactions and appropriate warnings. Through this I have developed a working knowledge of SQL and manipulating MS SQL databases. Show less

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  National Prescribing Centre

  Apr 1997 - Dec 1999

  Freelance Writer

  I did freelance work for the National Prescribing Centre, scoping, developing and writing a range of publications including "GP Prescribing Support: a resource and guide for the new NHS" and "Implementing NICE guidance: a practical handbook for professionals". This involved working with key figures in the NHS prescribing agenda, running focus groups, gathering expert knowledge and ultimately producing useful and practical resources for GPs, pharmacists and other prescribers.

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  Evergreen Life

  Sept 2014 - Mar 2024

  Pharmacist

  At Evergreen Life I am part of a committed and enthusiastic team developing a healthcare app to enable the public to manage their own medical, health and fitness record.

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  Bolton School

  Jan 2015 - Feb 2021

  Governor
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  Bolton Hospice

  Sept 2020 - now

  Founder member, eBay team

  The eBay team raises funds through selling high-value, preloved items that have been donated to Bolton Hospice. This is a vital additional income stream alongside the network of retail shops across Bolton, and has been one of the only sources of income to continue throughout the pandemic.

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  Bolton School

  Apr 2021 - now

  Friends of Bolton School Co-ordinator
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  Octagon Theatre Bolton

  Oct 2023 - now

  Member Board of Trustees