Article Summary
Ten IMU Pharmacy students participated in a three-week elective placement at Teesside University and were attached to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. This elective placement provided an opportunity to gain insights into the roles and responsibilities for a pharmacist within hospitals in United Kingdom, to enhance the students’ understanding of clinical pharmacy practices, and to understand the importance of communication and teamwork in a real-world healthcare environment, contributing to comprehensive patient care.
Key Facts
Programme:
Elective Placement
Duration:
12 April to 2 May 2026
26 April to 16 May 2026
Participants:
10 IMU University Pharmacy students
Institution:
Teesside University
Attachment:
Pharmacy Express
The James Cook University Hospital
Focus Areas:
Healthcare system in the United Kingdom
Broadening Horizons: Pharmacy Students Experience Healthcare Practice in the UK
Two groups of IMU University pharmacy students recently completed their elective placement at Teesside University and The James Cook University Hospital, gaining valuable exposure to pharmacy practice within the United Kingdom healthcare system.
The three-week placement was designed to provide students with international clinical and professional experience in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. Throughout the programme, students were exposed to various aspects of pharmacy practice including, medication management, patient counselling, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based clinical decision-making.
Participating Pharmacy Students
Group 1:
- Chan JianYi
- Pang Xiao Thong
- Lim Yung Ying
- Ong Jia Wei
- Roshan A/L Paramasivan
Group 2:
- Tan Pei Ying
- Chee Man Yann
- Siaw Yue Zhao
- Chelsea Chua Si Yu
- Patricia Chua Jie Yu
Gaining Clinical and Professional Insights During the UK Elective Placement
During the elective placement at Teesside University and The James Cook University Hospital, the students were exposed to various aspects of pharmacy practice within both community and hospital settings in the United Kingdom healthcare system.
On the first day of the placement, the students were warmly welcomed by Ms Alison Moore and the academic team at Teesside University. An orientation session and campus tour were conducted to introduce students to the university environment, facilities, and learning resources. Students were also given access to university facilities, including the library and study spaces, throughout the placement period.
Community Pharmacy Placement at Pharmacy Express
The community pharmacy placement was conducted at Pharmacy Express, where students were introduced to the workflow and responsibilities within a UK community pharmacy setting.
The activities included:
Medication Compliance Aid Preparation (MediPack)
Preparation of weekly medication packs according to patients’ prescribed medications to support medication adherence and improve patient safety.
Dispensing Workflow and Stock Management
Monitoring medication stock availability, organising medication storage, and preparing medications for future dispensing activities.
Pharmacy Communication and Documentation
Recording incomplete medication supplies and communicating stock shortages to pharmacists to ensure continuity of care.
Hospital Placement at The James Cook University Hospital
The hospital placement at The James Cook University Hospital followed a structured rotation schedule covering multiple pharmacy departments and clinical specialities.
Students were first introduced to the hospital environment by specialist pharmacist Mr James Scott. Briefing sessions were conducted to familiarise students with:
- Hospital pharmacy services
- Ward-based clinical pharmacy practice
- Electronic healthcare systems, including MIYA and WebICE
- Daily workflow and multidisciplinary collaboration within the hospital setting
The subsequent rotations provided exposure to various pharmacy services and clinical areas including:
Ward-Based Clinical Pharmacy
Participation in medication reviews, patient case discussions, pharmaceutical care planning, and ward rounds across specialities such as:
- Older People Medicine
- Acute and General Medicine
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- Surgery
- Women and Children
Students reviewed patient medical records, laboratory investigations, and medication charts while discussing therapeutic management with pharmacists.
Evidence-Based Clinical Practice
Exposure to the application of UK clinical guidelines and assessment tools, including:
- NICE Guidelines
- BNF (British National Formulary)
- NEWS Score
- Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) Calculator
As part of the placement programme, students were also required to complete a case-based discussion and presentation based on patient cases encountered during ward rotations. The presentations focused on clinical decision-making, medication optimisation, and identification of medication-related problems in complex patient cases
Exploring the United Kingdom Beyond Clinical Placement
Outside of the placement activities, the students also took the opportunity to explore several locations in the United Kingdom during their free time, including
- York
- Whitby
- Newcastle
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea
These visits provided valuable cultural exposure and allowed students to further appreciate the local history, environment, and lifestyle throughout their stay in the UK.
A Closer Look at the Roles and Responsibilities of Pharmacists in the UK
Under the guidance of experienced pharmacists, preceptors, and academic staff, the students gained valuable insights into the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists within the UK healthcare system. While broadening their perspectives on international healthcare systems and pharmacy practice, the placement also enhanced students’ understanding of:
- Clinical pharmacy practice,
- Multidisciplinary collaboration,
- Medication safety, and
- Patient-centred pharmaceutical care
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