| 2. Professional body membership
Martin Astbury We must keep the price of joining the
new professional body low. The new body must be a lean organisation that
appeals to
the wider membership and not just pander to the elitist groups who
make all the noise.
The new professional body should offer services
that help pharmacists to stay on the Register. An essential part of
this will be support for completion of the General Pharmaceutical Council’s
continuing professional development requirements. Catherine Duggan The new body should comprise the
major bodies and groups across all sectors in our profession, including
the specialist
groups
(for example United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association), students,
academics, technicians and industrial pharmacists.
David Thomson I see the new professional body as an
umbrella organisation compromising all members of the pharmacy family.
It presents an opportunity
to welcome back the many groups established that have had to function
separately as their views and interests may not have adequately represented
by the Society in the past.
It presents a tremendous opportunity
to rebrand and relaunch our representative body providing strong leadership
and
a unified voice for pharmacy. Mike Holden I believe we need an over-arching body
taking overall responsibility for leadership and development of the profession,
but with small faculties
representing the various disciplines within this.
Ian Mullen The professional body must have an inclusive
and intuitive approach. Interested pharmaceutical organisations should
have
the opportunity to join. Technicians can be included in a clearly defined
category.
Professional groupings (albeit without firm boundaries) within
the new body should
reflect areas of practice and special interests. A segment
for pharmacists with universally
accepted advanced levels of competence is desirable.
Nick Barber I am all for it being an inclusive rather
than an exclusive body. All societies and groups grow stronger and
thrive if exposed
to new ideas and new ways of thinking. This does not weaken
or dilute us;
we still have control of our identity through the registration
body and our actions.
We can only grow stronger from robust
debate, refining
our
identity and roles and strengthening our case to government,
patients and other professions. Nanette Kerr It must include colleagues from all sectors in
pharmacy to ensure true representation. There must be a facility
for technician
membership. There should also be an option for associate
membership that would attract partnership involvement of the other major
national bodies
to create a single powerful voice for pharmacy. The bigger
the body, the louder the voice.
Alison Moore Pharmacists. Student and preregistration trainees
should be able to join in a reduced capacity, and retired
pharmacists should
be just as eligible to join as those who are still practising.
I wrote as much in my response to the Clarke Inquiry. However,
this
is my personal
view. Far more important are the combined views of all
pharmacists. The professional body simply will not exist if no one wishes
to join it. 3.
What will attract members?
Mike Holden There has to be a value added
return on investment of a fee
to make membership desirable. The benefits (not features) of membership
should ensure that joining the organisation is a must do for all.
Alison Moore Understanding what the new professional body is going
to do and how it will benefit them as individuals. Affordable fees.
Being
genuinely involved in deciding the above.
Nick Barber The body needs a vision that people want to be part of,
and needs to deliver real benefits at an acceptable membership fee.
People
want a vibrant local culture, forums to support practitioners, inventive
educational events, low central costs and a low membership fee.
Nanette Kerr That they are better in it than out
of it. Members will see tangible benefits that make a difference to
their career in the long
run either financially or in terms of status. These must include professional
leadership, a clear vision, standards for advanced and specialist practice
and a coherent, persuasive voice. All of these activities have formed
the bedrock of my career to date.
David Thomson Appealing and attractive if it provides services members
want and need, ideally a customer-focused organisation concentrating
on the interests of members. Best features will be identified in time
but I would be looking for excellence in promoting and advancing the
profession, provision of top quality education material and an enhanced
level of support for branches, just for starters.
Ian Mullen Pharmacy is a clinical profession and
the professional body must demonstrate an understanding of modern clinical
practice.
It should
support clinical developments.
Pharmacists will join a body that: demonstrates
effective leadership for the profession; successfully represents the
profession to Government, the public and the media; emphasises the
importance of the profession to the NHS; understands that devolution
involves autonomy
and governance while relinquishing management; acknowledges the contribution
of retired members; and provides added value and genuine value for money. Catherine Duggan To join, individuals will need a very clear vision
that this body is inclusive and unites the profession. A professional
body
that provides a place for all in pharmacy — from generalist to
specialist to advanced practitioner across all sectors; that promotes
us widely to the public and effectively at the highest levels of influence;
that provides an acknowledged voice of expertise for all levels. We now
have an opportunity to develop a new leadership body that would allow
us to unite around a common theme — pharmacy.
Martin Astbury There must also be a greatly reduced fee for retired
pharmacists. These pharmacists have made enormous contributions to
our profession
over the years and this must be rewarded. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
