A local group has been formed in Pembrokeshire to facilitate the development of the services provided by both primary and secondary care pharmacists in the county. It is believed to be the first group in Wales set up on similar lines to the pharmacy development groups established in England, with an open invitation to all pharmacists to contribute.
The Pembrokeshire Pharmacy Forum held its inaugural meeting on January 17, when participants put forward ideas for service developments that could be presented to the Pembrokeshire local health group in order to secure continued funding via service agreements. A second meeting is planned for February 28.
The forum has been established through the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Penfro branch. It is being co-ordinated by Mr Chris Martin (pharmacist member and vice-chairman, Pembrokeshire local health group) and Mr Roy Thomas (chief pharmacist, Withybush district general hospital, Haverfordwest).
The Society's Pharmacy in a New Age co-ordinator, Mrs Anne Adams, told The Journal on February 8 that pharmacy development work was taking place in other parts of Wales - and in Scotland - but by other methods, made possible by a local National Health Service structure different from that in England.
She was not aware of any other work in Wales through a local forum open to all pharmacists.