Senior GP practice pharmacist Ravi Sharma has been appointed to the NHS Assembly as one of a number of people from across the healthcare, charity and political spectrum tasked with supporting the delivery of the NHS long term plan.

Sharma (pictured), the director for England at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, was chosen to sit alongside clinical healthcare leaders, patient group representatives and individuals drawn from the voluntary, community and social care sector on the Assembly after applications from more than 500 people had been received.

“It’s an exciting opportunity and a privilege to put the pharmacy point of view on the Assembly. The NHS long term plan is the blueprint for the future of the NHS in England and pharmacists are an integral part of it. I look forward to working with colleagues to shape the future delivery of the plan,” Sharma said.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “The NHS Assembly rightly reflects a wide diversity of patient, public and staff views and expertise. It builds on the inclusive process for designing the NHS long term plan and will help guide its implementation in the years to come.”