Murray

Never hurray a Murray

It took him long enough, didn’t it? It’s been 12 years since Keith Ridge was appointed as chief pharmaceutical officer at the Department of Health and finally he’s managed to clear his in-tray and get round to commissioning an independent report on clinical services in community pharmacy – by the director of policy at the King’s Find, Richard Murray.

It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? I mean, I know it takes a while to settle into a new job, and I’m sure the poor chap has had his plate full, but you would have thought that with all the problems the NHS is facing at the moment he would have been busier than ever. Still, better late than never, eh?

Did Christmas come early?

Just this week, NHS England published its independent review of community pharmacy clinical services that was undertaken by Richard Murray of the King’s Fund. I wish I could be encouraged by it, but I’m feeling too disheartened by the way we’ve been treated this year.

On the face of it, there’s abundant good news, but I don’t see how the report’s recommendations can be implemented without significant investment. We read that renewed efforts are needed “to make the most of the existing clinical services that community pharmacy can provide and to do so at pace”. Great!

Welcome to 2017 - the year of the optimist

The editor's welcome to the new year

The Murray Review and other news

News from the NPA

Sharpe warns of testing year ahead

Sue Sharpe posts a New Year message to the profession

Sharpe warns of testing year ahead

Sue Sharpe posts a New Year message to the profession

Review shows way forward for pharmacy services

King's Fund's Richard Murray calls for more effort to make a success of pharmacy services