The business of the cross party group on pharmacy has been on hold due to the recent Welsh elections.

You can keep up to date with political issues within Wales and find out how we are working with the new Welsh Government here.

Previous reports from the four cross party group meetings will still be available here.

Political Leadership

The Welsh Pharmacy Board is the profession’s voice in Wales. Ensuring this voice is heard amongst AMs, the Welsh Government and political party organisations is a key objective of the Board.

To gain a platform for political leadership and getting the Board’s key messages across, especially during this time of major changes to NHS organisations and the creation of a new professional body, the Welsh Pharmacy Board has facilitated the establishment of a Welsh Cross- Party Group for Pharmacy.

What are Cross-Party Groups?

Cross-Party Groups (CPGs) provide an opportunity for Members of all political parties, outside organisations and members of the public to meet and discuss a shared interest in a particular cause or subject.

They are not formal Assembly groupings and are not, therefore, bound by any of the Assembly's Standing Orders. The operation of CPGs in Wales is not prescriptive in relation to the procedures to be followed, with Groups able to determine their own procedures.

CPGs may be set up by Assembly Members in respect of any subject area relevant to the Assembly. CPGs have no formal role in policy development, but serve as a source of information sharing and a point of contact on areas of particular interest to the Assembly.

Membership of Cross-Party Groups

The membership of CPGs is open to all Members of the Welsh Assembly.

CPGs must include Members from three political party groups represented within the Assembly.

CPGs may contain members from outside the Assembly, but the overall membership profile of the group must remain clearly Assembly in character.

To maintain and guarantee the Assembly nature of the occasion, it is advisable to have at least two Members of the Assembly, both members of the group, present at every meeting.

CPGs should elect its own officers at its first meeting, with prominence given to the Assembly Members as sponsors of the group.

Meetings

CPG meetings are held in public, with all Assembly members being invited to attend and speak. 

Members of the public and organisations with an affiliation to the CPG are invited to attend each meeting, with the group’s secretariat being responsible for issuing invites and providing administration support.