The RPS Assembly is the key decision-making body of RPS which is responsible for setting strategic direction, financial management and organisational governance. 

Commenting on the following key decisions made by the Assembly, RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

 Professional Leadership Commission

“We’re pleased to confirm ongoing and constructive dialogue with APTUK and PFNI about future engagement with the Council proposed in the report of the Commission into Future Pharmacy Professional Leadership, which has been supported by the four UK Chief Pharmaceutical Officers (CPhOs). While a number of questions about the construct and purpose of the Council remain unanswered, we look forward to a further meeting with the CPhOs at which we expect more clarity to be forthcoming.”

Pharmaceutical Journal

“A motion passed at the AGM requested an external review of the Pharmaceutical Journal, especially with regards to its digital offering. The move from print to digital in 2021 was two years in the making and undertaken with strong support from RPS leadership, The Pharmaceutical Press Board and the Assembly. It was a difficult decision but was made to enhance our high-quality editorial content and develop multi-media content, as requested by our membership. This also starts the journey towards linking to relevant resources and integrating other products and services from across our membership resources to provide the best experience for users.

“Assembly has heard the issues some members have been raising and we will continue to explore at pace improvements to the digital PJ to improve the reader's experience and address the challenge of meeting readers’ needs through a series of planned enhancements and for these reasons will not proceed with an external review.”

Constitution and governance review

“Assembly was briefed on the progress with the review of RPS constitution and governance structures as part of our evolution as the professional leadership body.

“The review has now begun, with an expectation that Assembly will receive a first draft of recommendations by November. It’s being conducted by Firetail, an organisation that specialises in strategy and organisational development for social progress and has worked with a wide range of national academies and learned societies.

“Firetail will make recommendations on issues such as the implications of possibly moving to charitable status or some other legal structure, what structures would be needed to welcome other professional groups that may wish to join us into the organisation, how to make patient insight integral to RPS strategy, and clear pathways for delivery of assessment, credentialling and education services amongst others.

“We’ll keep members informed about how they can engage with this review.”

Membership proposition

“We discussed ways to optimise our membership proposition to maximise retention and recruitment of members. Developing a compelling reason to join and stay in membership is something Assembly and our Executive are prioritising and we are actively exploring opportunities to strengthen further the sense of belonging that we know it is important to create and sustain. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and action plan

“Assembly discussed the importance of better aligning our external and internal efforts on EDI matters. Efforts to reduce pay gaps at RPS are yet to deliver the improvements we hoped for. We will further develop an action plan with timelines and outcomes against each target which will be brought to November's Assembly meeting.”

Expenses

“Assembly reviewed elected member expenses and claimable daily allowances and decided to maintain them at the current rate while the review into RPS constitution and governance is underway.”

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