Pharmacy overlooked on NHS reform panel
Pharmacists have been left off the board of health experts set to lead the listening exercise on the government's controversial NHS reforms.
No pharmacist has been included on the NHS Future Forum panel, which was established by health secretary Andrew Lansley to listen to concerns over NHS plans during a "natural break" in the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill.
The 40-strong panel, led by former Royal College of General Practitioners chair Steve Field, includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists and patient representatives on its named list, announced today (13 April).
The lack of pharmacy representatives was unsurprising, and a missed opportunity to engage with pharmacists, said Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott.
"The absence of pharmacy representative on the Future Forum is disappointing – I wish I could say I was surprised – as it would have been a great opportunity for us to voice our concerns about the reforms," Mr Darracott said.
However, Pharmacy Voice would continue to engage with the listening exercise to "make sure [the government] spends a good deal of time listening to community pharmacy," Mr Darracott added.
The pledge to engage with the exercise was echoed by other bodies, with PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe promising the negotiating body "will ensure that issues are addressed in the best interests of patients, pharmacy and the NHS".
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said a "small number of additional members" would be added to the Future Forum panel, but refused to comment on if this group would include a pharmacist.
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