The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7491 p235
1 March 2008

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Decisions about models of care will be local, Darzi says

Pharmacists should find out who is involved with the local clinical working groups linked with the NHS Next Stage Review in England if they want to contribute to the debate, Lord Darzi urged participants at a pharmacy engagement event in London this week.

“The decisions about models of care and the models of delivery will be decided at a local level,” he added. “I have no doubt pharmacy could contribute tremendously.”

Graham Phillips, community pharmacist and member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Council, told the meeting: “At the moment there is absolute dissonance between the things we’re being asked to do and the way the system is working — and that needs to be addressed. We are all trying to invest in the future and we need some certainty.”

Lord Darzi responded: “Can I reassure you and build your confidence that pharmacy will have a significant role to play post the Next Stage Review.” But he added that such involvement would have to be decided at local level, with pharmacists engaging in the process, and that it would not work coming from him.