Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists
Strategic Direction
2001-2005



Executive summary

 This Strategic Direction statement will be reviewed annually.
An operational plan to address the strategy will be developed in the Committees and reported regularly to the Council.
The Group Secretaries Day and Annual General Meeting will receive reports re implementation.

Recruitment and communication
1. We will continue to aim for 100% membership in the managed care sector.
2. We will aim to secure 1000 new members over the next 5 years.
3. Each workplace should have a trained accredited representative.
4. We will develop a strategy for rejuvenating the Guild Groups to maximise their input to the work of the Guild.
5. We will work with relevant organisations to promote the Guild and recruitment.
6. A new role of 'Communications Officer’ will be developed.
7. The web site will be developed to include new elements to ensure all members have access to information and support, including model agreements with employers.
8. International commitments will be reviewed.

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Networking, marketing and lobbying
9. The Guild will network with the Pharmacy Technician organisations.
10. We will develop our relationship with the RPSGB and the PSNI.
11. We will contribute to the national initiatives to develop a strategy for hospital pharmacy and the production of a hospital pharmacy leaflet.
12. We will continue to lobby government (national and devolved) to achieve our objectives and ensure we support theirs for the development of the profession in the patient’s best interest.
13. We will continue to liaise with the All Party Pharmacy Group.
14. Our links with primary care will be strengthened.
15. We will ensure Council links to our Special Interest Groups are strengthened.

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Professional practice
15. The Guild will address the need for standards and accreditation for specified services in the managed care sector, especially within hospitals.
16. The concept of ‘Consultant’ Pharmacist will be investigated.
17. The Guild will continue to develop guidance on practice issues.
18. The Guild will work collaboratively with Technician bodies to agree joint policy statements.
19. The Guild will build relationships with other healthcare professions with respect to joint statements.
20. The Guild will seek agreement with the four Chief Pharmacists in GB on the core competencies for future professional leaders to address questions of succession planning, leadership and associated mentoring.
21. The Guild will explore the opportunities for a strategic approach to electronic prescribing and medicines administration.
22. The Guild will work to achieve modern approaches on matters of practice (e.g. prescribing); skillmix; and re-engineering, whilst protecting our membership.

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Education, training and research
23. A review of continuing education provision by the GHP will be completed.
24. Improved links with the RPSGB will be explored for training and research.
25. Opportunities for joint working with the UKCPA will be investigated.
26. Education of council members re addressing Guild business will be addressed.
27. We will continue to support research through the industry sponsored Research Award scheme and seek to improve numbers of award applications.
28. We will support research initiatives which support the aims and objectives of the GHP.

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Members representation and organisation
29. The future working of the Pharmaceutical Whitley Council in relation to the Pay Review Body will be considered. Improved terms and conditions will continue to be sought.
30. The pursuit of a new grading structure will continue.
31. We will ensure The ‘Agenda for Change’ work is informed re Pharmacy, and that members are kept aware of implications.
32. The Guild will ensure that the administration of its work meets the newly agreed service level agreement.
33. We will ensure good links are fostered with the NHS Sector of the new union.
34. We will recognise and support pharmacists within the devolution agenda, and recognise the potential diversification of healthcare delivery.
35. The Guild’s structure will be reviewed at all levels to ensure it is aligned to provide maximum benefit to the membership.
36. Representation will be made to all bodies concerned with pharmaceutical workforce planning.

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Finances
37. We will explore new ways to invest in promotional opportunities which assist recruitment.
38. A detailed cost base for MSF funding of the GHP should be established as a matter of urgency.
39. A commitment from the union to continue to support the European and wider international role of the Guild should be sought.
40. The organisational arrangements of the National Weekend School should be reviewed.
41. The financial arrangements of ghp should be kept under review with the publishers.

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