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Letters to the Editor
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Darzi review
There may be light at the end of the tunnel
From Mr G. S. Phillips, MRPharmS
Pharmacists have been, justifiably, critical of Government health policy,
and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s own research shows that
members want much more effective representation of their professional
interests.
The “Darzi Day” held at the Society’s headquarters
in Lambeth last week was a useful step in the right direction, which
has made me reflect on just how far pharmacy has come: Lord Darzi, a
senior Government minister, was prepared to engage with us and listen
to our views.
A reasonably representative grassroots group of pharmacists spent most
of the day in friendly discussion and open debate with Keith Ridge, Gul
Root and Jeannette Howe, the senior Department of Health pharmacy team.
Ten years ago such an open interaction would have been little more than
a pipe dream.
Lord Darzi was challenged for omitting pharmacy from a sample patient
pathway (it will be interesting to see if he has corrected this by the
time of the next Darzi pharmacy meeting in Manchester), but accepted
an invitation to spend some time visiting pharmacies, to see for himself
how we help patients and the public and place value on it.
NHS Director of Commissioning Gary Belfield was also challenged about
the commissioning environment and the effective exclusion of pharmacy
from practice-based commissioning. He agreed to meet pharmacy representatives
for more discussion.
There is clearly much work still to do if we are to raise the profession’s
profile and influence from the first division to the premier league among
health professions. Only then can we maximise our contribution to healthcare.
All of this leads me to believe that, however frustrating the circumstances,
pharmacists must continue to engage with the Darzi consultations at local
and national levels, and exert the maximum possible influence on the
upcoming pharmacy White Paper.
It is pleasing to see the Society working co-operatively with the DoH
pharmacy team for the profession’s benefit and starting to give
pharmacy the promised “strong, clear voice” at the national
political level. More of this please!
Graham Phillips
Member of Council
Royal Pharmaceutical Society |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal