President asks what the members want
The President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Hemant Patel, is asking members to tell the Society what they want from a future professional body for pharmacy.
In a letter posted on the Society’s website, the President says
that, in discussions on the White Paper on regulation of health care
professionals, a lot has so far been heard from Government representatives
about what a future professional body for pharmacy might look like. But
what the Council needs to know is what the members want.
He continues: “If there is to be a new body for pharmacy then the
membership must
be at the forefront of the process to ensure that any new arrangements
bring stronger professional leadership for pharmacists.”
The letter says that the Council is to commission research to help identify
members’ needs, wants and expectations. An independent research
company will carry out work over 12 weeks, seeking the views of a random
sample of pharmacists and others. The data will help inform the development
of business models for a future professional body.
It adds that a group led by an independent chairman would consider options
for a future professional body, engaging with members and key stakeholder
groups. This activity would be essential in establishing collaborative
thinking and a cohesive approach to the professional body. The findings
of the member research project would also feed into this process and
a full report on this research would be prepared for the Council in the
autumn.
The Council would undertake a formal consultation with members on the
future professional body at a later stage.
The President’s letter can be accessed through the “Regulation
White Paper” link on the website’s home page.
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