Pharmacy Voice has welcomed the announcement that there will be a pharmacy representative on the Future Forum, the body created as part of the government’s listening exercise for the Health and Social Care Bill.
Ash Soni was named today, following appeals from Pharmacy Voice and others for community pharmacy to be represented on the review group during the legislative ‘pause’ on the NHS reform programme.
Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice said:
“The appointment of a pharmacy representative on the Future Forum adds an additional perspective to the NHS reform programme.
“We hope that the announcement today is a signal of intent that the Government understands that it must make appropriate use of pharmacists’ medicines expertise to get better value from the £12.5bn drugs bill in England.
“Ash Soni is a respected figure who is capable of putting across pharmacy’s concerns about the NHS reforms and can articulate the contribution of community pharmacy to the health and wellbeing of the nation.
“Pharmacy Voice will be arguing for pharmacy to be represented at all levels in the emerging commissioning structures and for aproper balance of national and local commissioning with Ash and his colleagues on the Future Forum. Whilst a degree of local customisation is desirable, the government must take responsibility for ensuring universal access to critical services. It is also vital that the NHS maintains investment and forward momentum on the frontline of healthcare during the transition period.
“Pharmacy Voice is continuing to make representations direct to Ministers, and is communicating with all levels of Government on this matter.
“We hope the government’s ‘pause for reflection’ is a genuine listening exercise with a commitment to act on what is learned. What we do not want is for pause to turn into confusion and inertia. “
The Government’s Working Together for a Stronger NHS listening exercise was announced on 6 April and continues officially until June.