As I was unable to attend the meeting, my thanks to Dave Millar, District Member for the Northern District, for his notes which have been compiled into this report.
New District Member Co-opted Due to the resignation of Helen Silcock, the Council approved the co-option of Andy Alldred as District Member for Yorkshire.
New Professional Secretary Appointed The President announced that following a successful interview in January, Jean Curtis has been appointed as GHP Professional Secretary from 1st April. Jean has held senior posts in primary and secondary care including Regional Pharmaceutical Officer and her previous Guild Roles include Branch Secretary of the London Branch.
President's Report Helen Remington announced that unfortunately Hazel Blears has been unable to accept the invitation to the National Annual Conference in Manchester. She also reported on the current arrangements within Amicus-MSF for review of the existing arrangements regarding the administrative support and the usefulness of the attendance at the Mid-Year Conference of the American Health System Pharmacists.
New Membership Drive Shows Signs of Success The president announced in her report that the GHP strategy of achieving 1000 new members in the next 5 years has started well in that records show that there have been 84 new members since September. It is, however, important that we do not slacken especially with many hospital and primary care pharmacists considering renewal of indemnity insurance policies from April with the alternative option of GHP membership having advantages.
Effectiveness of Hospital Pharmacy Project It was announced that a draft report of the work commissioned by GHP on the Effectiveness of Hospital Pharmacy by the Damian Childs, Judy Cantrill and Jonathon Cook team was available. The final report will be launched at the National Conference held in Manchester on 12th-14th April 2002.
Practice Committee Guidance on Electronic Prescribing was formally approved by Council.
Annual National Conference 2003 A nomination for the 2003 National Annual Conference (formally the Weekend School) to be hosted by the SouthWest Group was accepted. Provisionally the location is likely to be a hotel in Cheltenham. Nominations for the 2004 Conference are to be sought.
Pharmaceutical Whitley Council It was noted that there are a number of problems with the existing terms and conditions for pharmacists not least insufficient money. It was accepted that no radical changes will be forthcoming until the introduction of Agenda for Change. The 2003 pay submission discussed at Council is available on www.ghp.org.uk
Celltech Medals It was announced that the Celltech Gold Medal was to be presented to Beth Taylor and the Silver Medal to Gerry Wilson.
Colin Rodden 29.03.02