Professor Richard Parish to remain Chair of Pharmacy and Public Health Forum
19 September 2012
Despite announcing that he will step down from the Royal Society for Public Health in June next year, Professor Richard Parish will remain Chair of the Pharmacy and Public Health Forum for the foreseeable future.
In practice, the Forum has been undertaking its work programme for less than a year. Commenting on the progress to date, Richard Parish said “Much work has gone on behind the scenes and I am indebted to the Forum members and many others for their energy and commitment. We shall have a number of clear conclusions and recommendations to make over the next six months or so, starting this Autumn".
The Forum has been working on a range of key issues for community pharmacy, including identifying the evidence base and developing standards of public health practice for pharmacists and their teams. The Forum has also supported the highly successful roll-out of the Healthy Living Pharmacy initiative, now numbering over 300.
“We are close to making a number of observations and recommendations”, said Richard Parish, “and will be arranging a series of public events around the country. These will enable us to engage with pharmacists and their staff, public health professionals, Clinical Commissioning Groups, and Health and Wellbeing Boards. I expect these to take place in the very early part of 2013.”
“During 2013 the Forum also expects to consider the workforce and training implications of these recommendations. In addition, we need to look at how to make the Forum and its work sustainable into the future”, said Professor Parish. “I am particularly grateful to my colleagues who have given of their time so freely and chaired the various Task Groups as well as the individual members of the Forum and those who sit on the Task Groups themselves”.
“During 2013 the Forum also expects to consider the workforce and training implications of these recommendations. In addition, we need to look at how to make the Forum and its work sustainable into the future”, said Professor Parish. “I am particularly grateful to my colleagues who have given of their time so freely and chaired the various Task Groups as well as the individual members of the Forum and those who sit on the Task Groups themselves”.
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Dr. Keith Ridge commented, "I am very grateful to Richard for his leadership of the Forum, and I am pleased that he has agreed to continue to ensure delivery of its early priorities, whilst consideration is given to how best the Forum aligns with the emerging health and social care system".
Ends
Notes to editors
Pharmacy and Public Health Forum
The Pharmacy and Public Health Forum, was announced by Ministers in July 2011. It provides leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of public health practice for pharmacy in the Government’s drive to improve the public’s health and reports to the Department of Health and in future to Public Health England. It leads on developing the pharmacy contribution to public health, taking into account both the Government’s and local public health priorities.
The Pharmacy and Public Health Forum, was announced by Ministers in July 2011. It provides leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of public health practice for pharmacy in the Government’s drive to improve the public’s health and reports to the Department of Health and in future to Public Health England. It leads on developing the pharmacy contribution to public health, taking into account both the Government’s and local public health priorities.
For more information on the Forum please contact Gul Root, Principal Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health on Gul.Root@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Royal Society for Public Health
- The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is an independent, multi-disciplinary organisation, dedicated to the promotion and protection of collective human health and wellbeing. Through advocacy, mediation, empowerment, knowledge and practice we advise on policy development, provide education and training services, encourage scientific research, disseminate information and certify products, training centres and processes.
- The RSPH is the oldest public health body in the world and enjoys patronage of Her Majesty the Queen
- It is a registered charity operating under Royal Charter
- The RSPH is an awarding body recognised by Ofqual. Around 100,000 students take our qualifications each year through our network of over 1500 training centres throughout the UK. Our qualifications cover areas including health improvement, food hygiene, pest control, health & safety, nutrition and emergency planning.
- The RSPH is a membership organisation with almost 7,000 members. Membership of RSPH is a widely recognised mark of commitment to public health and brings real professional benefits.
- The RSPH run a wide variety of conferences covering topics such as food safety, water, infection control and occupational medicine as well as training programmes covering all aspects of health improvement
- The RSPH run an accreditation service for health and safety related products and manage the second largest food packaging certification scheme in the UK
For more information on the Royal Society, please contact Kate Sanger ksanger@rsph.org.uk
