Workforce issues, staff retention and capacity continues to be a big concern for the Local Pharmaceutical Committee as it discussed the topics at a recent meeting with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC).
The meeting, attended by delegates from 66 LPCs, focused on the current challenges faced by community pharmacies as well as the planning for the next year.
Around 64 per cent of delegates said workforce was the top challenge faced by pharmacy contractors, and suggested reducing the migration of pharmacists to Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
Other suggestions included - "improving the development opportunities available for pharmacists and their teams, and rebranding the profession to make community pharmacy a more attractive route for young graduates."
On the development of Integrated Care Systems (ICS), the majority of respondents were positive about their LPC's engagement in the new setting.
NHS England's decision to forgo commissioning puberty suppressing hormones (PSH) for children and young people, citing insufficient evidence of their safety
and clinical effectiveness, follows a comprehensive review conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2020.
The clinical report underscores that "PSH treatment options will not be part of routine commissioning" for people under the age of 18 in England grappling with
gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The NHS England review analysed nine observational studies on Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Analogues (GnRHa) and found no statistically significant difference
in gender dysphoria, mental health, body image, and psychosocial functioning among children and adolescents treated with GnRHa.
Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), acknowledged the challenges faced by pharmacy professionals regarding prescriptions
for puberty suppressing hormones, stating:
A new survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has made a concerning revelation about the rise in nursing students contemplating quitting.
Nearly half of nursing students in England are contemplating quitting their courses before completion.
This alarming trend threatens the NHS England Long Term Workforce Plan, published a year ago, which aims to significantly expand the nursing workforce by 2036/37.
The survey also highlights a dramatic 20 per cent decrease in the number of students enrolling in nursing degree apprenticeships over the past two academic years.
This decline underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by nursing students, including increasing financial pressures due to the cost of living,
insufficient teaching and supervision, and mental health issues as the primary reasons for consifdering quitting.
Drug addiction poses a serious challenge since it impacts one's physical and mental health. However, the good news is that individuals who complete a drug
rehabilitation program can overcome this problem. If you are interested in providing rehab services, there are a couple of things you should know. Read on to
learn how to operate a rehabilitation clinic flawlessly.
KNOW THE NEEDS OF YOUR CLIENTS
The main purpose of drug rehab is to help different people overcome addictions. It is designed to heal the body and mind from the negative effects of addiction.
It also teaches the affected individuals to learn to live without using substances. Therefore, your first step is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of each
client to formulate a personalized treatment plan. Everyone has unique needs in their recovery journey.
Your rehab program can start with detox which is designed to rid the body of substances, although it does not treat addiction. The person affected undergoes
different therapies during treatment. Therapy helps them deal with the issues that cause substance abuse and teach them healthier ways of life. Various therapies
will be applied throughout the entire treatment process. Therefore, you must choose a suitable therapy for each individual. For instance, motivational interviewing
and cognitive behavioral therapy are the most common.
Addiction is a complex and multifaceted condition that can significantly impact an individual's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Despite
the strong desire to overcome addiction, many people struggle to achieve lasting recovery on their own. Professional help is crucial in addiction treatment because
it offers specialized knowledge, comprehensive care, and evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual's needs. With the support of trained professionals,
individuals are more likely to develop the skills and strategies necessary to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.
Understanding the Nature of Addiction
Addiction is often misunderstood as merely a lack of willpower or moral failing. However, it is recognized by the medical community as a chronic disease that
affects the brain's reward, motivation, and memory functions. These changes make it exceedingly challenging for individuals to control their substance use, even
when facing adverse consequences.
Through professional assessment, clinicians can identify the specific nature and extent of the addiction. This involves understanding the types of substances
used, frequency, and the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions. Accurate diagnosis is essential for developing a tailored treatment plan that addresses
all aspects of the individual's condition. The people behind https://healtreatmentcenters.com/resources/ note that there are many treatment centers and support
groups available to help people with addiction. It takes the expertise of professionals to properly diagnose and treat addiction effectively.
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.
"It is crucial that patients can access care when they need it, whether from a pharmacist or a GP, " Paul Rees, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy
Association (NPA) has said.
In response to a recent survey conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) highlighting alarming trends among General Practitioners (GPs), the NPA has issued
a warning about the growing crisis in the UK's primary care system.
Rees emphasised the urgent need for government intervention, saying, "Only by reversing these cuts and providing pharmacies with a new funding deal will we be
able to end the 8am scramble for appointments."
The GMC survey reveals that there is a significant increase in the number of doctors reducing their working hours to safeguard their wellbeing, spotlighting
concerns about the long-term impact on patient care.
According to the report, nearly half of GPs ( 48 per cent) are struggling to manage their workload, with several resorting to decreasing their hours or declining
additional work to protect their mental and physical health.