Council began with a minutes silence in memory of Jeff Ashford, a former member of Council who passed away recently. Two current Council members paid tribute to Jeff and his down to earth manner and sense of humour.
New Council Member The President announced that he had received a letter of resignation from Gerry Wilson as District Member for Wales. Consequently, Council agreed the co-option of the nominee from the North Wales and South Wales Groups, Janet Whyatt, who was then welcomed to the meeting.
Grading Modernisation Some discussions on updating pharmacists grading definitions took place in a meeting between the President and the Chief Pharmacist for England, Jim Smith. Similar meetings are to be arranged with each of the Chief Pharmacists.
Annual National Conference 2003, Bristol, 4th-6th April There was some discussion about next years ANC and concern that no venue for 2004 has yet been identified. Several locations were suggested, including Scotland. If anyone feels that this might be considered now that most of the work is being carried out by the conference organisers, please contact me.
First Databank / GHP IT Interest Group (ITIG) Award This award, to be launched at the ITIG symposium in October, is valued at £2,500 and will be made for innovative use of IT. Full details will be available shortly.
GHP Effectiveness of Hospital Pharmacy Report Discussions are ongoing with regard to keeping this important work up to date.
Healthcare Scientists Group Discussions with Jim Smith had confirmed that there will be no HR strategy for pharmacists and that we would be included within the Healthcare Scientists HR strategy. This also affects the position of the Guild within Amicus if Agenda For Change is implemented.
Agenda For Change (AfC) Apparently 67 points have still to be agreed, including some very significant ones. An article in the Nursing Times of 23rd July had raised some considerable concerns. The article claimed to have leaked information on the pay spine to be used within the second pay review body. If the information proves accurate, it will cause great problems for pharmacists and significantly increase the current recruitment and retention problems.
Colin Rodden 19 September 2002