The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7457 p750
23 June 2007

Society summary

Scottish branch secretaries call for an improved local branch network

A meeting of Royal Pharmaceutical Society branch secretaries in Scotland has called for the development of the branch network to meet members' changing needs and to allow the branches to help the Scottish Pharmacy Board in its aim of delivering strong professional leadership and effective support for pharmacists.

Meeting at the Society’s Scottish Office on 12 June 2007, the branch secretaries recognised the need to modernise the network and asked the board to provide guidance on its modern role and to put forward proposals for a future structure.

Board chairman Rose Marie Parr told the meeting that the board saw the potential for making use of the branch network but recognised a need to address challenges in the current model. These included declining attendance at branch meetings and poor engagement with the next generation of professionals. She emphasised the need to consider a different structure with flexible ways of working at a local level that took advantage of, for example, electronic methods of communication.

Commenting after the meeting, Dr Parr said: “We have to acknowledge that, just as we needed a devolved structure within the Society that was fit for purpose, we now need a local network that is also fit for purpose and meets the needs of our members. While some branches thrive, others are struggling. We need to assess what we as a board can do to reinvigorate local connections, engage more effectively with the next generation of pharmacists and have a structure in place that enables effective two-way communication.”

She added that she shared the branch secretaries’ concerns about the effectiveness of the present branch structure. She would feed their views back to the board and look to produce guidance and proposals for the board and branches to discuss together. “This is an opportunity for a fresh approach,” she said, “and the board will work in partnership with the branches for an outcome best suited to meet the challenges ahead.”