Pharmacy Voice 'delighted' by political visits
Chair Claire Ward has praised businesses such as Strand Pharmacy in Rochdale (pictured) for engaging with parliamentary candidates
Pharmacy Voice is “delighted” by contractors’ attempts to engage with parliamentary candidates in the run-up to next week’s general election, it has told C+D.
Chair Claire Ward called on pharmacists to invite prospective MPs to their businesses earlier this month, and told C+D on Monday (April 27) that she had seen politicians “from across the political spectrum” engaging with the sector through visits to pharmacies (see below).
Several of these events had produced “tangible” results, such as “forging stronger links with health and wellbeing boards and local commissioners”, she stressed.
“Witnessing first-hand the services and expertise on offer - and the difference these pharmacies make to communities up and down the country - is the best way to gain support from MPs,” said Ms Ward, a former Labour MP and Independent Pharmacy Federation chief executive.
Pharmacy Voice was also pleased with the success of its joint manifesto calling for the next government to expand pharmacists’ role, published jointly with the all-party pharmacy group and PSNC last month. Ms Ward added that pharmacists must “continue this work” to “ensure the next parliament is fully engaged with the sector”.
Last week, C+D reported that Conservative health secretary Jermemy Hunt had praised Kaye's Pharmacy in Newquay for its "impressive services".
Who else has been visited?
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Where: S G Barai Pharmacy, Sutton Who: Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat candidate for Carshalton and Wallington What happened: As Mr Brake had already visited Reena Barai’s pharmacy “a few years ago”, she decided to email him about returning. Mr Brake visited for 45 minutes on April 23 and divided his time between listening to patients and discussing his party’s manifesto with them, she told C+D. “There was one patient who I’ve helped with side effects from her medication and she explained that she wished pharmacists had more access to patient notes, as that would have helped her,” Ms Barai said. Mr Brake was “very engaged” and “keen to understand the need for national commissioning”, she said. “I wanted to show how having a local chemist is the social capital of the community,” she added. "My patients sold it for me. They spoke up about how pharmacists could help if they had summary care records access.” What the politician said: “Convinced that chemists need a key role in tackling minor ailments after meeting Reena Barai, her staff and customers.”’ |
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