Community pharmacists' skills have been recognised at a National Health Service managers' conference, but not for the best of reasons.
During a panel session at a conference organised in London on June 6 by the New Health Network, Miss Christine Hancock (general secretary, Royal College of Nursing) said: "I have often observed interactions between pharmacists and patients. I am amazed at the impressive knowledge and communication skills displayed by pharmacists. But a real dilemma in many pharmacies is the lack of confidentiality. That is why I am impressed; I hear what is going on."
She said that if pharmacists wanted an expanded role, they were going to have to consider whether community pharmacies were the most appropriate place.
Ms Claire Raynor (president, Patients Association) said: "When I heard that the NHS was going to create walk-in centres I thought 'what for, we have had them for years, they are called pharmacies'."