FREE taster courses have been organised in Preston in a bid to recruit more pharmacists to local hospitals.

The Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has received £35,000 from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Education and training Consortium, to encourage more people to train to be pharmacists.

Health chiefs believe the national shortage of pharmacists is due to an increase in the amount of training required before they are qualified.

The taster courses - to be held in the Gordon Hesling Room of the Royal Preston Hospital on Sunday, September 19, and Sunday, October 3 - will give people the chance to experience hospital pharmacy in a clinical setting.

Tricia Lemon, project co-ordinator, said: "One of the aims of this initiative is to improve co-operation and understanding between community and hospital pharmacists.

"For example there is scope for pharmacists to work in both sectors simultaneously, through extending working hours for part-time employees.

"We also want to encourage more people to apply for hospital pharmacy posts. There is flexibility in the system and it is possible to accommodate the individual's professional and personal requirements.

"I would encourage any pharmacist who wants to return to hospital pharmacy, or work in both sectors, to attend the taster courses."

Pharmacy technician Julie Eastham, from Preston, returned to the pharmacy at the Royal Preston Hospital after a 20-year break from the NHS.

She said: "The training and development is much more varied and greater opportunities exist to be part of the day-to-day running of the department.

"This makes working for the Trust much more satisfying than it was the first time around."

For details of the courses call Tricia Lemon on 01772 711470.

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