Key Points
- Professor Claire Anderson, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), visited Nanty Pharmacy in Maesteg and Morriston Hospital in South Wales.
- Accompanied by RPS Director for Wales, Dr Geraldine McCaffrey.
- Professor Anderson, an alumnus of Cardiff University, expressed pleasure in returning to Wales to engage with pharmacy teams.
- At Nanty Pharmacy, interaction with independent prescriber and owner Anna Mathews, who shared her journey expanding clinical services and patient-centred care.
- Morriston Hospital visit included demonstrations of medicines automation systems, electronically controlled drug management, and near-miss learning processes for patient safety.
- Hospital teams highlighted redesigned pathways, digital tools, and integration of independent prescribing pharmacists improving patient outcomes.
- Professor Anderson thanked teams for warm welcome and insights, noting expertise and passion in the profession as her term nears end.
- Visits align with pharmacy’s 2030 vision in Wales.
Wales (The Wales Times) February 19, 2026 – Professor Claire Anderson, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), recently visited pharmacy teams at Nanty Pharmacy in Maesteg and Morriston Hospital to observe community and hospital services advancing the pharmacy profession’s 2030 vision in Wales. Accompanied by RPS Director for Wales Dr Geraldine McCaffrey, the tour underscored innovations in patient care, digital integration, and clinical expansion. These engagements highlight ongoing efforts to enhance pharmacy’s role in Welsh healthcare.
- Key Points
- Who is Professor Claire Anderson?
- What Happened at Nanty Pharmacy in Maesteg?
- What Took Place at Morriston Hospital?
- How Are Redesigned Pathways Improving Patient Outcomes?
- What Did Professor Claire Anderson Say About the Visits?
- Who is Dr Geraldine McCaffrey and What is Her Role?
- Why Do These Visits Matter for Pharmacy in Wales?
- What is the Context of Professor Anderson’s Leadership?
- How Does This Fit into Broader RPS Activities in Wales?
- What Challenges and Opportunities Face Welsh Pharmacy?
Who is Professor Claire Anderson?
Professor Claire Anderson serves as the RPS President, a role she continues amid visits showcasing her commitment to the profession. As reported in coverage from pharmacy.biz, Professor Anderson is an alumnus of Cardiff University.
As a graduate of Cardiff University, Professor Anderson has deep ties to Wales, frequently returning to support local pharmacy initiatives. Her leadership focuses on bridging community and hospital settings to drive forward national visions like Pharmacy 2030.
What Happened at Nanty Pharmacy in Maesteg?
Who Did Professor Anderson Meet There?
Professor Anderson and Dr McCaffrey visited Nanty Pharmacy in Maesteg, where they interacted with independent prescriber Anna Mathews, the pharmacy owner. Mathews shared her journey as a young pharmacy owner who expanded clinical services and supports patients through patient-centred care, as detailed in the pharmacy.biz report.
This engagement allowed Professor Anderson to witness firsthand how independent prescribing enhances community pharmacy offerings. Anna Mathews exemplified how ownership and clinical expertise combine to deliver personalised care models.
What Took Place at Morriston Hospital?
What Innovations Were Demonstrated?
At Morriston Hospital, Professor Anderson and Dr McCaffrey were welcomed by the pharmacy leadership team. The visit featured demonstrations of the hospital’s medicines automation systems, electronically controlled drug management, and near-miss learning processes used to support continuous improvement in patient safety.
Professor Anderson also met clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working within the hospital. These interactions provided insights into operational efficiencies bolstering patient safety.
How Are Redesigned Pathways Improving Patient Outcomes?
Morriston Hospital teams highlighted how redesigned pathways, digital tools, and the integration of independent prescribing pharmacists were improving patient outcomes. This multifaceted approach demonstrates pharmacy’s evolving integration into broader healthcare delivery.
Such innovations reflect a strategic push towards the pharmacy 2030 vision, emphasising technology and role expansion. Teams at the hospital showcased tangible benefits in efficiency and care quality.
What Did Professor Claire Anderson Say About the Visits?
Regarding the visit, Professor Anderson said,
“As a graduate of Cardiff University, it’s always a pleasure to return to Wales and spend time with pharmacy teams who are delivering such impressive work across both community and hospital settings.”
She thanked the teams at Nanty Pharmacy and Morriston Hospital for such a warm welcome and for taking the time to share the work they are doing.
“As I approach the end of my term as RPS President, days like this remind me just how much expertise, passion and commitment to patient care there is across our profession. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us.”
Professor Anderson added,
“The insights from today’s visits will stay with me, and it was a privilege to see the impact pharmacy teams are making for patients and communities in Wales. Diolch yn fawr.”
Who is Dr Geraldine McCaffrey and What is Her Role?
Dr Geraldine McCaffrey accompanied Professor Anderson as RPS Director for Wales. Appointed in a rigorous process, she commenced responsibilities on 1 December 2025, succeeding Elen Jones, as announced by RPS on rpharms.com.
Previously Principal Pharmacist, Research and Development at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and on secondment to Digital Health Care Wales as Senior Clinical Informatics Lead, Dr McCaffrey chaired the RPS National Pharmacy Board for Wales. RPS CEO Paul Bennett praised her experience, stating,
“Geraldine brings a wealth of experience… her ability to build strong relationships and drive positive change are exactly the attributes we were looking for as we transition towards becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy and advancing pharmacy across Wales and beyond. I look forward to working with Geraldine as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”
Dr Geraldine McCaffrey said,
“I’m delighted to be appointed Director for Wales at the RPS and excited to further develop my advocacy for the profession in Wales. It’s been a privilege to serve as Chair of the Welsh Pharmacy Board, and I look forward to working with members, board colleagues and the RPS team to shape our future strategy and realise our commitments. Within Wales we’ll soon launch our next interim goals towards the 2030 vision, ‘Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales’. Having been part of the Delivery Board since its inception, I’m eager to collaborate with pharmacy teams and stakeholders to help realise that ambition.”
Cath O’Brien, Chief Pharmacy Information Officer for Digital Health and Care Wales, noted,
“Geraldine has played a key leadership role in realising the concept and vision of the Shared Medicines Record… we look forward to working with her in her new role to support the digital medicines ambition for NHS Wales.”
Why Do These Visits Matter for Pharmacy in Wales?
These visits align with RPS efforts to propel the pharmacy 2030 vision, ‘Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales’. By spotlighting community innovations at Nanty Pharmacy and hospital advancements at Morriston, Professor Anderson reinforced the profession’s pivotal role in patient-centred care.
Dr McCaffrey’s involvement signals strengthened leadership for Welsh pharmacy, particularly in digital and research domains. The tour illustrates collaborative progress amid transitions like RPS evolving into the Royal College of Pharmacy.
What is the Context of Professor Anderson’s Leadership?
Professor Claire Anderson’s tenure as RPS President has included multiple Welsh engagements, emphasising multi-disciplinary integration. Her Cardiff roots personalise these returns, fostering motivation among local teams.
As her term nears conclusion, such visits encapsulate her legacy of championing expertise and passion. They also preview continued advocacy under emerging structures like the Royal College.
How Does This Fit into Broader RPS Activities in Wales?
RPS Wales, under directors like Dr McCaffrey, prioritises stakeholder collaboration for 2030 goals. Recent appointments and visions underscore digital tools and prescribing expansions seen in the visits.
Hospital demonstrations at Morriston echo prior showcases, such as Professor Anderson’s 2024 visit to The Grange University Hospital, where multi-disciplinary pharmacy roles were highlighted. Jonathan Simms, Clinical Director there, noted integration improves safety and flow, with Professor Anderson stating,
“As a graduate of Cardiff University, it’s always great to come back to Wales!… Diolch/Thanks to everyone.”
What Challenges and Opportunities Face Welsh Pharmacy?
Community owners like Anna Mathews navigate expansions amid sector pressures, yet deliver patient-centred models. Hospital automation addresses safety, aligning with national digital ambitions Dr McCaffrey advances.
These visits affirm pharmacy’s trajectory towards healthier Wales outcomes. Insights gathered will inform RPS strategies, ensuring sustained impact.
The engagements at Nanty Pharmacy and Morriston Hospital exemplify proactive leadership. Professor Anderson’s reflections and Dr McCaffrey’s strategic role position the profession for future gains. As Wales advances its 2030 vision, such interactions bridge practice and policy effectively.
