The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7475 p483
27 October 2007

Society summary

National pharmacy boards

Welsh Pharmacy Board agrees to lend support to development of All-Wales Mental Health Network

The Welsh Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has agreed to facilitate the development of a pharmacy mental health forum to support pharmacy input into the All-Wales Mental Health Network. The forum will also map out current services and proposed new developments to ensure cohesive input across the profession.

The board made its decision at its fourth formal meeting, held on 11 October 2007, after hearing from Jocelyn Parkes, principle policy adviser at the Welsh Assembly Government. She advised the board that the WAG had made mental health a priority and had set up the All Wales Mental Health Network. She confirmed that, at present, there was no clear vision across the pharmacy profession on how best to engage in the mental health agenda. The board nominated Diane Heath as lead for this piece of work.

The Health Act — responsible pharmacist Priya Sejpal, acting head of professional ethics at the Society, attended the meeting to discuss the “responsible pharmacist” consultation that is expected to be launched imminently. Following a presentation and discussion, the board’s comments were collated and will inform the Society’s response. The board stressed the importance of any legislation being implemented simultaneously in each of the three countries.

Veterinary pharmacy The meeting heard from Rod Jones, who is a member of the Veterinary Pharmacists Group. Following discussions, the board agreed to form a working group, consisting of Mr Jones, Jodine Evans, Carwyn Jones, Phil Parry and Cath Savage, to look at the issues in a Welsh context and to develop a strategy document and underlying action plan for the board. The board agreed that it was important to share this document with both the Scottish and English boards to inform them of the work taking place.

Pharmacy 2020 The meeting received an update on the progress of the Pharmacy 2020 project from David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement at the Society. The board discussed how they could involve potential stake-holders in the current consultation process and looked at ways of making use of various networks across Wales to ensure that members in Wales were fully engaged.

Chronic conditions management Cath Savage, the Society’s director for Wales, advised the meeting that she had attended the recent meeting of the implementation group for the Welsh Chronic Conditions Management Framework. The board agreed that, once the document was available to share, a meeting should be arranged with other pharmacy organisations to pull together an action plan for the profession.

“One Wales” document The meeting discussed the implications of the coalition government’s policy agenda for the next four years and considered the actions required by the board to ensure inclusion of the pharmacy profession in the delivery of the Government’s manifesto policies. The board agreed to form a subgroup consisting of Carwyn Jones, Alan Crabbe, Richard Evans, Phil Parry and Jodine Evans to take this work forward.

Pharmacy leadership programme for Wales Cath Savage updated the meeting on the pharmacy leadership programme for Wales. The programme for 24 pharmacists from across Wales began in September 2007 and will run for 12 months. The board agreed that it was important to scope the success of the programme and to look to deliver this type of leadership programme to a wider audience. The board agreed to set up a working group, consisting of Margaret Allen, Mair Davies and Phil Parry to take this work forward.

Communications and public affairs Marc Donovan, vice-chairman of the board and chairman of the communications and public affairs group, provided an update on the main subjects considered by the group.

“Discover pharmacy” literature Mr Donovan advised the meeting that Paul Gimson, long-term conditions and public health lead pharmacist at the Society is the project manager for this piece of work. He said that this suite of literature, aimed at providing information to key opinion formers on aspects of pharmacy services, was an excellent opportunity for the three national boards to work together and it had been suggested that Welsh Pharmacy Board take the lead on this work.

Regional awareness sessions Mr Donovan confirmed that planning was well under way for the three regional awareness events taking place across Wales in November. These events will provide an important opportunity for two-way communication between members in Wales and the board. They provided an opportunity for the board to exchange ideas with members in Wales and to update them on professional developments and the work of the board.

In addition, it was planned to encourage members to participate in the Pharmacy 2020 consultation and to raise awareness of the importance of engaging in the opportunities to have their say in the development of a professional body. He asked the board to continue to publicise these meetings as widely as possible and encourage members to attend.

Pharmacy 2020 presentation for students Mr Donovan updated the meeting on the proposal to hold a Pharmacy 2020 event for pharmacy students in Wales. Contact had been made with the chairman of the Welsh Pharmaceutical Students Association, who was keen to participate. A date in November 2007 was being finalised.