Welsh Executive: First Minister highlights pharmacists' changing role
Rhodri Morgan: enthusiasm for pharmacy |
Community pharmacists are “undoubtedly the most under-utilised resource in the NHS” and “have an undeniable role to play in the treatment of minor ailments”, the First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan, told guests at the annual dinner of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Welsh Executive on 14 October.
The First Minister was enthusiastic in his support for pharmacy, explaining
how a forthcoming review of community pharmacy in Wales would look at
how patients are benefiting from the activities of pharmacists and how
best practice can be shared.
Commenting on the hospital pharmacy sector, Mr Morgan said: “On
a recent visit to Llandough Hospital I was fortunate to view the progress
of the automated dispensing project. It is a major step forward in releasing
pharmacists from the dispensary and onto the wards where they can better
apply their skills. The initiative also provides other benefits in terms
of patient safety and value for money.”
Andrea Robinson: NHSnet link is a priority |
Responding to the Minister, Andrea Robinson, chairman of the Welsh
Executive, highlighted the benefits of the early involvement of the
pharmacy profession
in the implementation of the IT Strategy for Wales, “Informing
healthcare”. She said that connecting community pharmacy to the
NHSnet should be a priority in Wales.
She added that another priority had to be the introduction of original
pack dispensing and she requested that the Assembly Government bring
together the interested parties to work out a way forward so that pharmacists
were in a position to supply original packs within a flexible framework.
Those present included Welsh pharmacists, Assembly Members, Assembly
Government officials and representatives from voluntary organisations,
community health councils and other health-related bodies.
Left to right: Alison Ewing (Vice-President of the Society), Dr
Gill Hawksworth (President of the Society), Rhodri Morgan, Andrea
Robinson, Carwen Wynne-Howells (chief pharmaceutical adviser to
the National Assembly of Wales) and Sheelagh Hillan (chairman,
Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland) |
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