After 36 years' service I retired from hospital pharmacy many years ago. My main responsibility was Medicines Information but I was also responsible for all skin allergy testing in Gloucestershire.

Topical patch tests are used to determine a patient's allergy and I prepared all the individual tests, sourcing the 20 more common tests from a Danish company. Because of the enthusiasm of two dermatologists, Gloucester became a leader in patch testing. However, there was no information in the UK about packing the tests or recording national allergy rates, so I grasped the golden opportunity to study at a Danish dermatology clinic.

The information and experience I gained from my Fellowship was invaluable for me to progress the service provided by hospitals. The basics are still used today to benefit patients who present with a skin allergy.

I lectured extensively throughout the Midlands and the south of England on allergy testing and wrote articles for professional journals. Through my allergy and dermatology work I developed an interest in the new and controversial subject of interactive dressings for wound healing.