From Mr M. I. Hird, MRPharmS, and Mr R. I. Hughes, MRPharmS
SIR,-Last week brought the publication of the NHS Plan, a document produced by the Government after a massive consultation exercise with the public, health care professions and National Health Service staff. While we may argue over whether more reference should have been made to specific roles for pharmacy, personally, we were disappointed upon reaching the end of the preface. This was completed by a long list of illustrious signatories from august organisations representing general practitioners, consultants, nurses, midwives, managers, local goverment and patient groups. Yet there was a notable absence of any signature suggesting the involvement of any of the bodies representing pharmacy's contribution to our Health Service.
Why? Was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society aware of this part of the document in advance? Was it expecting to be included here? Did it ask to be included? What does it intend to do about the exclusion, both in this case and for future works?
How confidently are we to view our place in such a broad reaching national plan when our representative and regulatory bodies do not initially appear even to have contributed to the thinking expressed in its introductory outline document?
Magnus Hird
Blackpool, Lancashire
Idris Hughes
Trefriw, Gwynedd
The Department of Health press office told The Journal on August 1: "A large number of organisations and individuals contributed to the development of the NHS Plan through the modernisation action teams on a less formal basis. It was not possible for all of them to be included as signatories to the plan.
"Although the Royal Pharmaceutical Society was not formally involved in the modernisation action teams, the NHS plan recognises the importance of pharmacy within the NHS and work continues on the pharmacy strategy." - EDITOR.