[Tony Schofield]

Well folks the latest election passed with 16% of those eligible to vote actually casting a vote. As thousands of members of the RPSGB have their membership paid by their employer I really fear for the future leadership body which I believe could be bankrupt after year 1.

I believe that a representative/leadership body is a good thing. Such a body for example could challenge the employer organisations about the pressure they put on employee pharmacists and the dodgy interpretation of Drug Tariff staffing requirements. It could also be responsible for world class CPD, assistance with professional development and influencing those that negotiate nationally, not just for community pharmacists but also hospital and employee pharmacists. Currently such functions are served by a rag bag of disparate organisations with no collective focus and clout.

We keep hearing what the "great and the good" expect of a leadership organisation but who has asked the intended membership?

Please try and approach this thread positively. What would encourage you to join a professional leadership and representative organisation? What would make you pay money when you don't need to? What are you looking for from representatives as pharmacy accelerates into the 21st century?