Aseptic Services for Managers

The Aseptic Services for Managers (ASFM) course has been developed by NHS TSET (the Technical Specialist Education and Training group) and is facilitated by the University of Leeds.

For more information about TSET, visit their website.

What will I learn?

This course is a follow-up to the Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM) course for senior, experienced pharmacy staff involved in aseptic preparation activities.

The course aims to:

• explore the role and responsibilities of the Aseptic Unit manager in the modern healthcare environment

• address key current issues for aseptic services

• equip you to respond to issues in your own units

• appraise and discuss current guidance

• provide workshop sessions giving you tools for improving working practices

How will I benefit?
The structure of the course will give you the opportunity to share practices with other delegates, and gain tips, solutions and resources to support practice back at base. You’ll receive a recommended reading list and learning objectives for each session, and your course notes will contain all slides plus additional handouts and resource lists.

This course is specifically designed for Aseptic Unit Managers, especially Accountable Pharmacists (AcP), Authorised Pharmacists (AuP) and Senior Technicians.

The course is also very relevant for Aseptic Unit Deputy Managers, those aspiring to a management role, and Senior QA/QC personnel in both licensed and unlicensed aseptic units.

The course is delivered via presentations from key speakers in the field with interactive workshops on both days to support delegates learning. 

Day one

Registration: 09:15 – 10:00

• Welcome and introduction to day one

• Current issues and priorities for the aseptic service manager

• The NHS Aseptic Services Transformation – current progress

• The responsive aseptic service meeting clinical needs 

• Workshop: Current problems and issues for the aseptic manager 

• Workshop feedback session

• Practical aspects of capacity and contingency planning

• Parallel sessions: Training and developing your aseptic workforce / Managing hazards for operators

• Guidance and tips for service leads at all levels on preparing for Audits (Assurance of aseptic preparation of medicines) and MHRA Inspections 

• Managing implementation of mandatory change e.g. contamination control strategy and other Annex 1 changes 

Day two

• Introduction to day two

• RCA and CAPA Processes

• Workshop: CAPA 

• Workshop feedback session

• Parallel sessions: Governance of aseptic preparation and emerging themes from audit / ATMPs – Governance and operational impact on aseptic services

• Management and prioritisation of the quality system

• Microbiological issues in Aseptic Services

• Question and answers session – Microbiological issues

• The future for aseptics

Course ends: 16:00*

Please note, CPD attendance certificates are given to delegates at the end of the course. 

*Please plan your travel to attend the full course, ensuring you stay through to the end to capture key takeaways and maximise your learning experience. 

Course director - Andrew Merriman, Lead QA Pharmacist, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Maelor Hospital    
Chairs/facilitators - Rufus Smith, Lead Pharmacist for Cancer and Technical Services, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Tim Sizer, Director of NHS TSET Healthcare CPD  

Speakers 

Dean Bradley - Operational Area Quality Manager, Cell and Gene Therapies
Matthew Greening - Senior Pharmacy Professional Advisor, - Infusions and Special Medicines Programme, NHS England
Shakeel Herwitker - Assistant Director of Pharmacy (Manufacturing), Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust 
Rachel Kirby - Principal Pharmacist, Medicines Governance, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Mark Oldcorne - Consultant QA Pharmacist
Lauren Price – QA Team Leader  Pharmacist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Sue Renn - Pharmacist, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS  and Lecturer at The University of Manchester 
Tim Sandle - Pharmaceutical Microbiologist & Contamination Control Consultant and Expert
Tim Sizer - Director of NHS TSET Healthcare CPD  
Maloni Talbot - Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Adam Walker - Interim Head of Quality, North East and North Cumbria NHS
Charlotte Ollerenshaw-Ward – Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist (North West), 
Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)

Course fee: £TBC

Fees are VAT exempt

Fees include:

• cost of tuition

• course materials

• light refreshments and lunches

• course dinner on Wednesday evening

Accommodation for delegates is not included in the course fee and needs to be booked separately (see accommodation tab).

View our terms and conditions

Please note there are two Village hotels in Leeds, the Aseptic Services course is held at the Leeds North hotel.

Village Hotel Leeds North
186 Otley Road
Headingley
Leeds
LS16 5PR

Directions to the hotel can be found here.

Travel

International delegates travelling to the UK may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Be sure to apply in advance of your travel date. For further details, visit the UK government website.

If you wish to stay at the course venue (The Village Hotel Leeds North) please book your accommodation directly with the hotel by calling T: 0113 203 3538 and quoting ‘University of Leeds ASFM 2025’ so the hotel recognises and prioritises the booking as part of the ASFM group; or by using one of the below links to book online.  

Option 1 – Non refundable and non transferable
Option 1 is a set negotiated rate valid until 8 weeks before the course, subject to availability, with no cancellations or modifications permitted. Please call 0113 526 9121 and quote “University of Leeds ASFM 2025” to book bedroom rates @ £105 per room per night single occupancy.  Rate includes: breakfast, gym access and parking (if required).  Guarantee Policy: Full prepayment is taken at the time of booking by debit or credit card.  Cancellation Policy: cancellations or modifications are not permitted, full cancellation charge for the entire stay will apply.  In the event of cancellation or non-arrival you will be charged for the full stay.

Option 2 - Cancel or modify free of charge up to one day before arrival
Option 2 is a flexible option permitting cancellation or modification free of charge up to one day before arrival, subject to availability.  Please use the following link https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/leeds-north, add arrival/departure dates and code: UNLEE (in the 'promotional code' box), the booking system will show member discount flexible rates and terms of booking when clicking on ‘+ more rates’ on the preferred bedroom type.  Guarantee Policy: all arrivals require a credit card guarantee at time of booking, full payment for your stay is charged to your credit card on the day of arrival.  Cancellation Policy: cancel or modify free of charge up to one day before arrival. First night's cancellation charge will apply after 7pm the day prior to arrival. In the event of a non-arrival you will be charged for the first night's accommodation. 

Important note: there are two Village hotels in Leeds, PLEASE ENSURE you search and book your accommodation at the LEEDS NORTH hotel. 

“An excellent use of two days for outlining what should be the current priorities for aseptic managers.”
Jenny Humphreys, Royal Derby Hospital 

“Excellent course, lots of useful information, a great opportunity to network.”
Cathy Samsudin,  Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS

"This was a very useful couple of days giving me a closer insight into some of the challenges which the management team give day to day."
Jack Murrell, Fresenius Kabi UK

“This course provides an excellent oversight of Aseptic Services for new and experienced managers. Topics covered are relevant and the delegate can be assured that they will go back feeling inspired and motivated and most likely with a list of quality improvement suggestions for their own unit.”
Marie Watson, University Hospitals of Leicester

“Great course, well delivered by all the experts. Leant a lot and looking forward implementing changes in our department.” 
Colleen Dossery, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Ella McNulty – Course Coordinator

CPD Conference and Events Unit
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences 
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT

T: 0113 343 9242

E: cpd@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk

Stay up to date with the latest course news and developments by following the CPD, Conference and Events unit on LinkedIn.