RPS launches ‘general election toolkit’ for English candidates

RPS 'general election toolkit'

In light of the general election on 8 June 2017, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has produced a ‘general election toolkit’ aimed at English candidates standing for office.

Members who wish to send their local candidate a copy of the toolkit can download it from the RPS website, together with a customisable email template.

Entitled ‘Right Medicine, Better Health, Fitter Future’, the four-page booklet highlights the expertise of pharmacists across sectors, and the value pharmacists add to their communities and to the NHS. The toolkit provides examples of how policymakers can use their influence, such as supporting greater incorporation of pharmacists into urgent and emergency care, and calling for local health reforms — for example, through sustainability and transformation plans —  to include pharmacists as part of integrated care teams.

The toolkit also asks election candidates to sign a pledge to support pharmacy, and to share their support online using the hashtag #pharmacy17.

Sandra Gidley, chair of the RPS English Pharmacy Board, comments: “Pharmacists make up the third-largest health profession in the NHS and, as such, we shouldn’t underestimate our reach with prospective MPs. I encourage all our members to contact their local candidates to highlight how, every day, the profession makes a real difference to constituents’ health.

“There are a number of ways members can get involved, whether it is sending candidates our general election toolkit, asking them to show their support online, or inviting them to come and see local pharmacists working in person,” she adds. 

“Healthcare remains a hugely important issue for voters and the general election gives members a chance to make their voices heard.”

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Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, RPS launches 'general election toolkit' for English candidates;Online:DOI:10.1211/PJ.2017.20202708

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