SOTPA
The Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Association (SOTPA) was formed in 2013 to promote formal dialogue between the many specialist pharmacists involved in the care of patients with a solid organ transplant, by facilitating a supportive network of expertise and continuous professional development.
Core Aims
- To facilitate best practice in the provision of pharmaceutical services to transplant patients and associated healthcare professionals.
- The promotion of effective patient-centred multi-professional care to improve quality of life for people with transplants, and their families and carers
- The advancement of education in the area of solid organ transplant pharmacy in the UK.
- SOTPA is intended to be a non-profit making unincorporated association. Any finances surplus to requirements will be used for future SOTPA activities to the benefit of the membership as a whole.
We aim to bring together all pharmacists with a role in the promotion and delivery of effective, patient-centred medicines management to all solid organ transplant patients.
Purpose / role
To promote excellence in the pharmaceutical care of all solid organ transplant patients.
Aims
- To provide a forum for information exchange and sharing best clinical practice.
- To support continued professional development (CPD) for pharmacists working in solid organ transplantation.
Objectives
- To provide an annual educational meeting to support solid-organ transplant-specific CPD.
- To be affiliated to other national and international transplant multi-professional groups such as the British Transplant Society.
- To create and develop a website for communication and dissemination of information between members.
Membership
An Executive Committee consisting of four specialist pharmacists representing all areas of solid organ transplantation.
Membership is open to members of:
- UK Renal Pharmacy Group members who are working primarily within transplantation.
- Ireland & UK Liver Transplant Pharmacists Group
- Cardiothoracic Transplant Pharmacists Group.
Individuals who are not members of one of the above groups may apply for membership of SOTPA via the Secretary. The Executive Committee will review and endorse the application if acceptable.
Benefits of Membership include:
- Members will be eligible to apply to attend the annual Masterclass.
- Members will have access to the members’ only section of the SOTPA website.
- Members will be able to network with other members via email, the website and at educational events.
- 50% reduction in the cost of individual membership to the BTS, appropriate to salary and grade according to BTS membership pricing structure. Congress and meeting fees remain consistent with BTS members’ rates.
An Executive Committee will act together to manage the association on behalf of the members. The Executive Committee will have representatives from Renal, Liver and Cardiothoracic Pharmacists. The group will be comprised of a Chair, a Co-chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
The primary function of the Executive Committee will be to oversee the activities and educational content of SOTPA events. A quorum for Committee meetings will be any three. Decisions are to be by simple majority, except for decisions with a financial implication which must be unanimous.
- Executive Committee members will be approved by the members at the AGM.
- Term of Office will be an initial three years (commencing November 2016) with an option for a five year maximum extension.
- A member of the Executive Committee may step down before the end of their term of office.
- The replacement of any member of the Executive Committee will be by election from within their organ-specific group.
There is currently no membership fee for SOTPA, this will be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee who will make recommendations to the membership at the AGM.
Membership will renew automatically each year as long as the membership fee is zero. A member may terminate their membership by writing to the Secretariat.
Reporting
The Committee will meet at least twice a year to review and plan SOTPA activities. Minutes from each meeting will be recorded.
Annual activity report to be written and submitted following the annual educational meeting. This will be posted on the Members’ section of the website.
Financial Monitoring
Financial accounts to be administered and monitored by the SOTPA Secretariat, in close cooperation with the SOTPA Treasurer.
SOTPA will hold a Bank Account. Signatories will include the Treasurer and one other member of the Executive Committee and the Secretariat.
The account will be used to pay reasonable expenses incurred in the administration of SOTPA in line with an annual budget agreed by the Executive Committee.
The Secretariat is authorised to sign contracts in connection with SOTPA activities with venues, suppliers and sponsors, as agreed with the Executive Committee.
Any external sources of income to be identified if known or explored if appropriate.
An annual budget to be prepared by the SOTPA Secretariat and agreed by the Executive Committee.
In the event of SOTPA ceasing to operate, any residual money in the SOTPA Bank Account will be donated to a charity/charities working to improve Solid Organ Transplantation.
The SOTPA Executive Committee will undertake to ensure that all associations with pharmaceutical companies will observe full adherence to ABPI Regulations.
Review & Evaluation
Frequency of reviewing the relevance & value of the Group’s work and the Terms of Reference – annually by the Executive Committee who will put recommendations to the membership at the AGM. Any changes will require a simple majority of the members attending the AGM.
SOTPA Executive Committee
Andrea Devaney, Chair
Haifa Lyster, Co-Chair
Caroline Ashley, Treasurer
Alison Orr, Secretary
