Jerome Durodie qualified from the School of Pharmacy, Brighton, in 1998. After registration (1999), he undertook a number of both long and short term community pharmacy locums which he maintained part-time until 2006. Jerome was more recently employed by East Surrey PCT as a Prescribing Advisor (2000 to 2007) and then as Public Health Pharmacist (2007 - 2008) in Surrey PCT. Jerome has also taught on a BTEC pharmacy course for trainee dispensers for three years and further was a recognised NPC+ (National Prescribing Centre) trainer undertaking training to a wide variety of health professionals predominantly on defined therapeutic updates. Jerome maintains an active teaching interest around the country working alongside PCTs and non-medical prescribers as a guest speaker / trainer. He regularly speaks at annual / national conferences for a variety of healthcare professionals. Prior to (re)training in pharmacy Jerome was a clinical microbiologist and worked in both the NHS and industry. He undertook research in aspects of antibiotic susceptibility, rapid detection systems and some early development work with flow cytometry as an effective technique in antibacterial research. Jerome also undertook work on the use of sugar, through its effect on ‘water activity’, as an antimicrobial as part of his post-graduate research studies whilst in the NHS. Additional to his role as Clinical Lecturer (for both under- and post-graduates), Jerome also acts as Study Skills Co-ordinator ensuring academic support in key skills to students as they progress through the school. Jerome has been appointed as one of the (clinical) medical experts to ACE (Anticoagulation Europe) providing input in part through ACE’s publication, INReview and through government lobbying. ACE is actively involved in supporting anticoagulated patients both generally and in the commissioning of safe and effective services from the NHS.

Particular interest has focussed on patient perceptions of their anticoagulation management, which overlaps areas of medicine use and safety and which has been a primary input to my involvement with Anticoagulation Europe (ACE). In collaboration with colleagues at both Medway School of Pharmacy and at local NHS secondary care centres we are investigating: subclinical urinary tract infections in patients with overactive bladder (OAB), and the natural history of recurrent urinary tract infections in renal transplant (immunosuppressed) patients. In both cases we are gathering evidence to suggest that intracellular bacteria (those thriving within urothelial cells) may be responsible for some symptoms and account, in some cases, for the lack of effectiveness of current, standard treatment regimes. We are particularly interested in developing sensitive ‘sediment culture’ techniques to improve urinalysis and therefore more accurately inform treatment strategies and consequently ensure graft survival. (See more detailed information as listed for Dr. S. Wildman). My personal involvement within this extended research team is in having specialist experience in both the academic and practice aspects of clinical microbiology, in addition to being a pharmacist.