Continuing our Careers Series, this month Pharmacist Danielle Cornford talks about her experience in working in Prison... 

Prison Pharmacy

Working as a prison pharmacist is both challenging and rewarding. It is a pharmacy role like no other and challenges you to think outside the box almost every day. I have previously worked in acute hospitals and mental health hospitals and found that my knowledge from both of these sectors was extremely helpful in my current role. I work with pharmacy technicians, nurses, healthcare assistants, GP’s, prison officers, gate staff, governors, and the list keeps going.

My role differs from day to day and is more varied than most pharmacist roles. My role can include administering controlled drugs to patients, right through to sitting in prison governance meetings. I am currently the lead for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout within the prison; this has been both a real joy and extremely difficult at times. I find working with the patients really rewarding and have built up trusting relationships with not just my patients, but also the wider team I work with.

Prison pharmacy is not for those who don’t like a challenge or find working under pressure difficult, but it can be a place where a pharmacist can make a real difference to patients and the wider healthcare team. If you are thinking of a career in prison pharmacy, I’d really encourage you to get in touch with the healthcare team at your local prison and speak to the pharmacist there.

Danielle Cornford

Lead Pharmacist for Prison Services

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust