The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Pharmacist Support hosted a roundtable on the impact of pharmacy workforce wellbeing on patient safety on Wednesday
(17 May).
It also released its annual Workforce Wellbeing Survey which showed continued pressures on pharmacy teams.
The discussion explored the actions needed to support staff so they can continue providing safe and effective patient care and included representatives from the NHS,
professional bodies, employers, trade unions, education and regulators.
A report of the roundtable will be published in the summer.
Amandeep Doll, RPS Head of Professional Belonging, said: "We know that pharmacy teams go above and beyond for their patients, but are also under enormous pressure.
"Now more than ever, we need to strive to make the pharmacy profession more inclusive and ensure that everyone's wellbeing is supported.
"It is vital that we do all we can to encourage people into pharmacy and to support them so they can enhance their skills, develop their careers, and continue to
deliver high-quality patient care.
"This discussion was a welcome step and showed that making a difference for staff wellbeing requires a concerted effort from stakeholders across the whole of pharmacy.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's (RPS) second roundtable on workforce wellbeing resulted in a series of collaborative actions to address pharmacy
professionals' mental health and wellbeing challenges.
The roundtable brought together key stakeholders from the pharmacy sector, including organisations like the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Community
Pharmacy England (CPE), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), and the profession's independent charity Pharmacist Support (PS).
A report detailing the outcomes of the meeting was published on Friday, highlighting the key areas of discussion and the agreed-upon actions by the participants.
During the roundtable, participants discussed the importance of understanding the workforce demographics, both nationally and locally, and using data to address
wellbeing issues effectively.
They also emphasised the need for using supportive standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) quality
statement to support and empower pharmacists' wellbeing positively.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has launched a new revised RPS Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy Services at its annual conference held on
Friday (11 November).
RPS developed the standards through an extensive consultation with the profession, multidisciplinary teams and patients. They are relevant for providers of pharmacy
services in acute, mental health, private, community service, prison, hospice and ambulance settings.
The revised Standards contain two brand new descriptors - research, audit and quality improvement, and inclusion and wellbeing. Updates have been made to the
supporting statements to ensure they reflect current practice and are fit for the future. A new assessment tool has been developed to support organisations either
self-assess or peer-assess against the Standards.
"For the first time the Standards apply UK wide, having gained support from Pharmacy Forum NI, alongside endorsement from The Association of Pharmacy Technicians
UK and other professional groups," RPS said.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Pharmacist Support have announced a formal agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration to better support RPS
members and increase the impact of the charity.
This partnership comes after years of working closely together, and formalising it will allow both organisations to reach a wider audience and focus on supporting
the wellbeing of pharmacy professionals.
The aim of the partnership is to establish a visible link between the professional body and the independent charity to increase awareness about the two
organisations for greater focus on the support within the sector.
Along with this, the key objectives also include identifying fundraising opportunities for Pharmacist Support, and collaborating on specific wellbeing projects.
Pharmacist Support, a charity centred on bolstering pharmacist well-being, has launched the 'ACTNow' campaign 2023, aimed at promoting and supporting the
health and overall wellbeing of pharmacists. This campaign is launched following the successful 2022 initiative, which heightened awareness about wellbeing in
the pharmacy profession.
Launched in May 2020 in response to COVID-19 challenges, ACTNow has transformed into a dynamic platform fostering positive workplace culture, teamwork, and
individual well-being, Pharmacist Support has said. Its primary goals are to inspire individuals and teams in the profession to prioritise their well-being,
support colleagues, and proactively foster a healthier work environment.
Pharmacist Support emphasised that the 2023 ACTNow campaign will continue to prioritise fostering a positive workplace culture. "This year, the campaign will
provide individuals, pharmacy teams, and employers with essential tools, resources, and strategies to effectively support colleagues dealing with distress,
all while cultivating a growth-oriented mindset within their teams," the charity firm said.
Working conditions in pharmacies have worsened in 2021, the annual Safer Pharmacies Survey conducted by the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) revealed,
highlighting the challenging and unsafe environments that some pharmacists are working in.
The survey asks pharmacists across all areas of practice about their experiences of key safety measures in the workplace.
Since the launch of the Safer Pharmacies Charter in 2017, PDA's annual surveys have monitored their feedback against the Charter's commitments, which covers seven
basic areas as standard practice for pharmacy work.
The commitments are No Self-Checking, Safe Staffing, Access to a Pharmacist, Adequate Rest, Respect for Professional Judgment, Raising Concerns and Physical Safety.
The survey revealed that eight out of 10 feel unsafe at work as violence and abuse still remain areas of concerns in pharmacy.
The Health Committee's new report has reminded the government of a much-needed pharmacy workforce plan to support recruitment, training, and retention of staff.
The report makes a number of recommendations to optimise workloads across primary care, reduce pressure on general practice and hospitals, and support the integrated
care systems.
It also recognises the potential of pharmacist independent prescribers to support patient care, backed by appropriate supervision, training, and opportunities for
professional development.
RPS England gave evidence to MPs on the Committee at a public hearing in May, highlighting key issues to support the pharmacy workforce.
RPS director for England, Ravi Sharma, said: "Today's report underlines the urgent need for the Government to set out a comprehensive workforce plan for health and
care.
"It rightly recognises that boosting recruitment and retention, supporting staff wellbeing, fostering inclusion and diversity, and investing in education and
training will be crucial to the future of the NHS.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called on employers, governments and NHS organisations to provide pharmacists with regular protected learning
time (PLT) within working hours to develop their skills in clinical delivery, education, research and leadership.
RPS workforce wellbeing survey showed an average 42 per cent of pharmacists were not given any PLT, a figure which rose to 55 per cent in community pharmacy. Most
were unable to engage in professional development activities as part of their working day because of their responsibility to deliver frontline clinical services to
patients.
This means learning is often undertaken outside of working hours, increasing pressure on individuals and impacting their work/life balance.
The survey showed that 48 per cent of respondents identified a lack of PLT as negatively affecting their mental health and wellbeing and that 88 per cent were at
high risk of burnout.
PLT improves the quality of patient care through professional practice and reflection, helping to develop insights, maintain and refine care standards and increase
confidence. It facilitates continuous professional development (CPD), ensuring that skills and knowledge are up to date.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has released findings from its fifth annual workforce wellbeing survey, which was conducted in collaboration with the
profession's charity, Pharmacist Support.
Exposing the mental health challenges faced by pharmacists, the survey revealed a troubling statistic: 86 per cent of pharmacists are at a high risk of burnout.
Inadequate staffing was the main factor contributing to burnout, followed by lack of work-life balance, insufficient protected learning time, absence of colleague
or senior support, and long working hours.
While pharmacies are encouraged to provide more clinical services, more than 60 per cent of pharmacists surveyed reported that they were not being offered
"sufficient protected learning time" to focus on their professional development and learning needs.
The survey also exposed a distressing trend of workplace abuse, with over 40 per cent of pharmacists reporting verbal abuse from the public, and 25 per cent
from colleagues or managers.
The fusion of the unique in-depth understanding of medicines by pharmacists together with the competence to prescribe offers will improve access to care and
increase capacity in the health system, said the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Director for England Ravi Sharma to Parliament at the Health and Social Care
Select Committee's inquiry on workforce on Monday (May 23).
However, he also stated that a new workforce strategy must support and harness the skills of pharmacist independent prescribers in clinical care with investment
in training, both for new and existing workforce; access to supervisors; protected learning and development time; and commissioning of services to make best use of
independent prescribers across care settings, supported by appropriate prescribing budgets in community pharmacy.
"We're about to see new generation of pharmacists independent prescribers that will make a huge difference to the clinical role of pharmacists to support patient care, but this must be underpinned by protected learning time and a more ambitious approach to commissioning new services to use their skills," Ravi said.
He spoke to MPs in Parliament at the Health and Social Care Select Committee's inquiry on workforce, highlighting the vital contribution of pharmacy teams during
the pandemic and called for action to support the current and future workforce.
Some of the key issues highlighted in the parliament included, the risk of burnout and the need to help boost staff retention; staff wellbeing, including a zero tolerance of abuse from the public; the importance of professional development and protected learning time to enhance patient care and support rewarding careers; the potential of new pharmacist independent prescribers and the need for investment in the current workforce and the need for better workforce data and a pharmacy workforce strategy.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England director, Ravi Sharma, has resigned after four years on the job.
He will be leaving the RPS in October to join Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, part of the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust group, as head of
pharmacy.
RPS will be commencing the recruitment of a new director for England shortly and in the interim Ravi will be working with Paul Bennett, the RPS CEO, to help in
delivery of key objectives and in the appointment of his successor.
Paul commented: "Ravi has made a significant contribution to the organisation during his time with us. His drive and enthusiasm for advancing the recognition of
the role of the Society itself and of pharmacists and professional practice is probably best reflected by his desire to ensure a real focus on personalised medicines
and his work on equality and diversity, workforce wellbeing, and most recently the development of a new vision for pharmacy in England.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Director for Scotland Clare Morrison participated in the panel discussion alongside representatives from other health
professional organisations on tackling the workforce crisis at the SNP conference in Aberdeen on 8 October.
At the conference, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care committed to achieving protected learning time for health professionals. Morrison welcomed the
Cabinet Secretary's statement as fantastic news for pharmacists across Scotland.
"RPS Scotland will follow up the discussion by writing to the Cabinet Secretary to request a meeting to discuss achieving protected learning time, the forthcoming
results of our workforce wellbeing survey, and positive examples of how pharmacy teams have improved the well-being of their teams," said the society.
The Professional Pharmacists Association (PDA) has demanded efforts to secure greater support and recognition for community pharmacists from governmental
bodies.
In its written evidence provided to the Health and Social Care select committee's pharmacy inquiry, the PDA raised concerns about the well-being of pharmacists,
specifically for those who belong to minority ethnic groups and race and are subjected to bullying, harassment, and ill-treatment.
The association highlighted issues in the workplace that impact pharmacists' health and well-being, including chronic understaffing, sub-standard working
environments, an absence of protected training time, and experiences of racism, violence, and abuse.
Parallel to the PDA's advocacy, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is intensifying calls for prioritising workforce wellbeing within the pharmacy domain.
Stressing the pivotal role of workforce retention in addressing current challenges, RPS emphasises the need for robust support mechanisms and equitable access
to mental health services.
More than half of pharmacists working in England are considering changing their roles over the next 12-18 months because of work-related issues, a recent survey by The Pharmacists' Defence Association revealed.
The survey which concluded on February 18, 2022 had more than 2,500 participants including employed and locum pharmacists from all four UK nations.
In the survey, PDA asked respondents about their current roles and future career plans.
The initial feedback showed that unsatisfactory pay and working environments, lack of professional fulfilment, and poor management were the key factors for pharmacy professionals to reconsider their current positions.
Many of us know that oral health plays a hugely important role in our general health and wellbeing. We're continuing to see a rise of cosmetic dentistry
such as veneers and teeth whitening[1] but fundamentally, it shouldn't be forgotten that oral health encompasses so much more than aesthetics. Our diets,
the oral hygiene products we are using, and our brushing techniques are all elements that impact our oral health.
It's been hard to miss in the news that there is a dental crisis in the UK, with 'dental deserts' leaving some areas with over 3,000 patients for every NHS
dentist[2]. With oral health being of such importance to our overall health[3], it's only reiterated to us at Haleon that we must continue to promote access
to dental care and understanding of better dental health.
As I've mentioned in previous articles for Pharmacy Business, an understanding of preventative, self-care is hugely beneficial, not just to improve health
inclusivity but to help reduce these current burdens on both healthcare and dentistry professionals. We know that at Haleon, we, and the consumer healthcare
industry as a whole, have a responsibility to empower people to equip themselves with the tools and information to participate in their own and loved ones'
health - and dental health is such an important part of that.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed the appointment of Michael Matheson MSP as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care in
Scotland.
Commenting on the announcement Laura Wilson, Director of RPS Scotland, said: "I would like to congratulate Michael Matheson on being appointed to this position.
NHS recovery is vitally important, and pharmacy has a huge amount to offer this agenda.
"Our current priorities include enabling pharmacists to take leadership of prescribing in all care settings, tackling health inequalities and advocating for change,
implementing shared patient records between healthcare professionals to provide high-quality, person centred and safe patient care, improving pharmacists' wellbeing
and tackling the climate emergency by encouraging sustainable and green prescribing across Scotland.
Are you interested in a career helping others improve their overall health and wellbeing through nutrition? Becoming a nutritionist is an excellent way to
make a positive impact on the lives of your patients. Nutritionists are experts in understanding how food affects our bodies, so they can provide advice on healthy
eating habits, dietary requirements for certain medical conditions, and more.
However, it takes more than just interest to become a successful nutritionist - there are specific qualifications and experience that you need to have before you
can practice as one. In this blog post, we will look at what it entails so that you can start planning your journey toward becoming a certified professional
nutritionist. We'll cover the education needed for certification, any licensing or registration requirements necessary for practicing in different states or
countries, what kind of skillset potential employers might be looking for when hiring nutritional professionals, and finally some tips on gaining practical
experience while working towards full accreditation. So if you are serious about becoming a nutritionist, let's get started!
FORMAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The first step towards becoming a certified professional nutritionist is often completing an accredited program in either dietetics or nutrition. A Bachelor's degree
in Nutrition Science, Food Science, and Human Nutrition or Dietetics would be the minimum qualification for entry-level positions as a nutritionist. However, there
are many advanced courses available that can take you further in this field such as Master of Nutrition programs and postgraduate degrees.
The Scottish government has appointed Christina McKelvie MSP as the new Minister for Drugs and Alcohol policy, following the resignation of Elena
Whitham MSP due to health reasons.
In a letter to the First Minister, Whitham said she was receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress, which had "greatly" affected her wellbeing.
Commenting on the news, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Scotland thanked Whitham for supporting them, particularly for her "efforts to bring in a new
national service to provide emergency access to supplies of naloxone."
RPS Scotland has continuously advocated for the accessibility of naloxone through all community pharmacies (for supply to people who use drugs, family, healthcare
professionals and carers), and to make it available in all clinical settings for use in emergencies.
It was also the top recommendation of their policy on Pharmacy's role in reducing harm and preventing drug deaths.
If your loved one is suffering from anxiety, you'll likely be aware of how damaging the condition can be. Anxiety comes in many forms and can be triggered by
an array of factors, but there are some simple steps to take if you want to improve the wellbeing of your family member - how can you best go about supporting a
loved one with anxiety?
What is anxiety? - Anxiety is mental state in which we feel highly worried, nervous, uneasy, or uncomfortable. While it's normal to feel anxious in certain situations
and at notable points in our lives (this is linked to the 'fight or flight' instinct), it's important to address the problem if you feel that your anxiety is
impacting your quality of life.
What are the five major forms of anxiety? - The 5 most common forms of anxiety as diagnosed by medical professionals include generalised anxiety disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia, also known as anxiety disorder.
What causes anxiety problems? - Anxiety can be caused by a wide range of factors. We're more likely to become anxious when we're overworked, stressed, depressed,
under financial pressure or physically or mentally unwell. It's also common to become anxious after traumatic events such as having to make medical negligence claim
after sustaining a surgical based injury, losing a home or the death of a loved one.
Whether it's the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and those suffering with long Covid, or the financial pressures of rising living costs, these hard times
can affect absolutely anyone's mental health.
Mental health problems have worsened across all age-groups in the last few years, from lack of social interaction, unexpected bereavements or the significant impact
of a physical injury or long-term illness taking its toll on mental wellbeing - these challenging experiences and situations that we face throughout life leave a
big strain on the population.
Ultimately, there is an urgent need to reduce rising levels of mental ill-health in our society. As a pharmacist with 25 years' experience in healthcare, I feel I
have an obligation to my patients to support them with their healthcare needs, and mental health should be treated just the same as physical health.
Despite efforts to improve NHS mental health services, patients may still not be receiving the appropriate immediate care as they are often provided with online
counselling or an App for long-term support (online support introduced since the pandemic).
Community pharmacists are in a unique position to be advocates for patients with mental illness as they are the healthcare professionals' patients see most often.
This is a good opportunity for pharmacists to speak to patients face-to-face and give them advice in a more practical way rather than potentially waiting weeks for
an GP appointment.