Press release: PSNC and the NHS Confederation Welcome the Strong Support for Pharmacy Vision

02 Mar 2004

On Monday 1st March 2004 Minister of State for Health Rosie Winterton MP received a good reception from stakeholders at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee's annual dinner.
Speaking at the dinner Rosie Winterton MP set out the Government's vision for a modern patient centred pharmacy service. The Health Minister welcomed the broad support given to the Government's consultation document 'A Vision for Pharmacy in the New NHS'.
The Minister highlighted the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee ballot of members last autumn on the outline of the new contractual framework which showed strong support for the negotiations to date.
PSNC warmly welcomes Health Minister, Rosie Winterton's strong expression of support for the new pharmacy contractual framework, made during her keynote speech at PSNC's annual dinner. 
Commenting, Chief Executive Sue Sharpe said,
"We are delighted to hear the Government voicing such strong support for the new pharmacy contract. The new framework will make better use of pharmacists' skills, enhance the quality of the service they provide to patients and play a wider part in improving public health. As Minister of State for Health Rosie Winterton MP said, fair funding for providing NHS services is essential if the NHS is really committed to develop these new roles."
Chris Town, Chairman of the Pharmacy Negotiating Committee for the NHS Confederation, said:
"The Minister's statement reinforces the decision of travel for community pharmacy. It confirms that the contract negotiations should produce a solution for Primary Care Trusts and pharmacists to work together ensuring the quality of local services. It also promotes the opportunity to expand the role of community pharmacist to utilise their skills more fully."
-ENDS -

Notes for editors

1. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is the body that represents community pharmacy on NHS matters and seeks to secure the best possible NHS services provided by pharmacy contractors in England and Wales.
2. The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our ordinary members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
   

Contact details

1. Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
   
2. For further information contact:
   Melanie Smaus, Public Affairs Officer by telephone on 01296 432823 or by email at
   melanie.smaus@psnc.org.uk
   

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