Welsh Executive launches four new briefing papers
Four new briefing papers have been launched by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Welsh Executive to inform pharmacists in Wales about recent developments.
One briefing paper looks at the new general medical services (GMS) contract
for GPs in Wales, which came into effect on 1 April. It gives an overview
of the new working arrangements and remuneration system for GPs and goes
on to explain the opportunities for pharmacists to work with GPs within
the GMS contract or to directly provide services to a medical practice.
It also summarises the possible impact of the new GMS contract on pharmacy
services.
A second briefing paper looks at Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW), which
came into being on 1 April and will eventually take over the work in
Wales of the former Commission for Health Improvement (which covered
both England and Wales). The briefing explains how HIW will work in co-operation
with its English counterpart, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and
Inspection. It also summaries HIW’s roles in both the inspection
of health care services and the investigation of reported service failures.
A further briefing paper looks at the “Review of health and social
care in Wales” published in June 2003 (the Wanless report), which
examined how NHS and social care resources could be used more efficiently
and effectively to improve the quality of health and social care services.
The briefing examines those issues in the report that are pertinent to
pharmacy and concludes that more innovation is needed in developing professional
roles, with leadership needed at all levels in pharmacy to promote an
integrated team approach.
The final document takes a brief look at the work of the Richard Commission,
which was set up to consider whether the Welsh Assembly’s existing
powers are adequate to meet the country’s future needs and whether
the number of elected Assembly Members and their method of election are
satisfactory.
Andrea Robinson, chairman of the Welsh Executive, said: “We will
continue to produce briefings for pharmacists on topical issues and to
make these readily available. We know how important it is to provide
up-to-date and clear information on all factors affecting pharmacy in
Wales.”
All the briefing papers can be downloaded from the Welsh Executive’s
website. Copies
can also be obtained from the Welsh Executive Office, Gloucester House,
14 Mount Stuart Way, Cardiff
CF10 5DP (tel 029 2041 2800; fax 029 2041 2810).
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