The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has begun a consultation process for its proposed practice guidance on mental health. Copies of a draft version are being sent to relevant organisations in pharmacy and other health professions and to patient organisations. Those consulted are being asked for comments on the guidance and also for further examples of good practice.
The aim of the guidance will be to help pharmacists improve their existing service in the area of mental health and enhance their contribution to patient care. The guidance will be supplemented by sections on how to move forward, on identifying and meeting training needs and on quality assurance and audit. It will also provide examples of existing good practice plus background information and reference material.
The guidance on mental health will be the second in a series of practice guidelines on the management of long-term conditions. The first, on diabetes, was launched last year (PJ, October 9, 1999, p599). Unlike that guidance, which focused on community pharmacy, the mental health guidance will address good practice across all sectors of the profession.
Any readers interested in commenting on the draft mental health guidance should contact Ms Janet Flint in the Society's practice division (fax 020 7582 3401; e-mail jflint@rpsgb.org.uk). Comments should reach Ms Flint by March 17.
It is expected that the guidance will be published in July. Pharmacists who wish to reserve a copy should contact Ms Angela Canning in the Society's practice division (fax 020 7582 3401; e-mail acanning@rpsgb.org.uk), giving their Society registration number. After its launch, the guidance will also be made available on the Society's internet website.
The Society is planning to follow the mental health guidance with guidance on the role of the pharmacist in treating and preventing coronary heart disease and stroke (PJ, January 29, p176). Also being planned is guidance on services to drug misusers and on emergency hormonal contraception.