The Gathering 2012 - A view from Scotland

Lynsey Cleland - GPhC Director for Scotland:

The GPhC has consulted on its draft standards for registered pharmacies at The Gathering in Glasgow - one of the largest third sector events in the UK with over 3000 visitors annually. Now in its 8th year, it incorporates the 2012 Citizen Advice Scotland annual conference and exhibition and brings together exhibitors and delegates from community groups, charities, social enterprises and health and well being organisations.

The Gathering has provided a really useful opportunity to engage with people from a broad range of local community groups and national organisations in Scotland. There was a lot of interest in our consultation on the draft standards for registered pharmacies. It is something that people really feel they can contribute to. Many of the delegates we spoke to represent or are involved in caring for patient groups who frequently use pharmacy services and were keen to take information about our consultation back to their organisations so they could contribute to our consultation.

People were also very interested to find out more about the GPhC and the work we do and to understand how our work relates to their local health communities. Delegates were keen to hear what we are doing as the regulator for Great Britain to take account of the health delivery structure and health policies in Scotland. 

As well as raising awareness of the GPhC, The Gathering also provided an excellent opportunity for us to find out more about the work of third sector organisations from across Scotland and to identify ways that we can more effectively engage and work with them in the future.