Members' views sought on Society's future
The Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is seeking input from its members into its response to the two Department of Health reviews of the regulation of health professionals. Members have until 9 October to make their contributions.
The reviews are those of the General Medical Council by chief medical
officer Sir Liam Donaldson and of all other regulators by former Department
of Health workforce director Andrew Foster. Both review reports can be
accessed from the consultations
pages of the Department of Health website.
The Council has been taking an in-depth look at the options for the Society’s
future and recently held the second in a series of meetings to consider
its responses to the reviews.
The Society’s President, Hemant Patel, said: “There are many
issues to consider in both the Foster and Donaldson reports, with the
future role and remit of the Society as a fundamental issue of concern.
There are different views on how best to go forward and we shall of course
consider the range of opinion from all stakeholders and members, including
through our branches and regions.
“It is important that the Council has every opportunity to consider
all the possible options because the profession’s development needs
to be supported by strong professional leadership as well as robust regulation.
The Foster review lays down challenges in this regard but also the opportunity
to build on our strengths and the Council is committed to arriving at
the best outcome for the profession and the public we serve.
“Throughout both reviews, we submitted evidence-based arguments
on a wide range of issues. These submissions were well-received and influential
because their analysis was clear and based on facts. Our recent Council
meeting produced a day of clear thinking and mature discussion on the
range of options. I am confident that, following our final discussion,
our response will demonstrate a full, evidence-based analysis of the
best way forward.”
The Society’s response, which must be submitted to the Department
of Health by 10 November, is being developed over the next few weeks.
The Council
discussed the main issues in the Foster report at its reserve
day on 14 September (see p367). It will have two further opportunities
to discuss and finalise the response — at the Council meeting on
10 and 11 October, and the reserve days on 1 and 2 November.
The Society says that it wants to involve the membership as fully as
possible in drawing up the response. More than 80 pharmacy groups and
organisations have been contacted, as have all members of the Society’s
special interest groups. There will be a mailing to branches plus information
on the Society’s
website,
inviting members of the profession and other stakeholders to send in
their views and comments.
Comments should be sent to Karen Turnham, Royal Pharmaceutical Society,
1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN
(e-mail karen.turnhan@rpsgb.org)
to arrive by noon on Monday 9 October 2006. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal