The NHS pension scheme is the largest in the country, and possibly in western Europe, with 1.5 million members, 11,500 employers and annual membership contributions of £1.5bn.

It is perhaps surprising that no national body exists to discuss and shape policy and strategy, and consider the detailed implementation of the scheme.

All this looks set to change with the proposed establishment of a pension agency/employers forum with regional representatives, and an initial meeting has been set up at Aston University on 8 December.

This is an opportunity to set up a meaningful body which can take account of employers' views and the needs of NHS staff. I urge employers to support and brief their representatives.

Roger V Turner

Personnel director

Worthing and Southlands Hospitals trust

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