GPhC, Pharmacist Support join forces for well-being of pharmacy professionals

Key Summary

• General Pharmaceutical Council and Pharmacist Support will advise each other on broad areas of concern
• The two organisations will use joint resources to the benefit of both
• They will work towards the well-being of pharmacy professionals, as it impacts their ability to keep patients safe

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmacist Support have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the well-being of pharmacy professionals.

The two organisations, a regulatory body and a charity, aim to collaborate to promote the well-being of registrants, advise each other of broad areas of concern, and use joint resources to the benefit of both organisations.

The MoU will also provide the two organisations with a framework for the responsible sharing of expertise and experience, as well as information and intelligence.

The MoU includes protections to ensure that confidentiality is maintained appropriately.

While GPhC regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy premises in Great Britain, Pharmacist Support is a charity that supports pharmacy students, trainees, pharmacists, and their families, and former pharmacists.

GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said, “It is clear that the wellbeing of professionals impacts on their ability to meet the required standards and to keep patients safe.

"By encouraging an environment where pharmacy teams can focus on their decisions to deliver good and effective care, we enable them to work at their best."

He said the new agreement will also "enable us to promote the work of Pharmacist Support to the people we regulate, so they are aware of the help that is available to them and their families, and share insights between the two organisations to help us both continually improve how we work.”

Pharmacist Support chief executive Danielle Hunt said there has been an increasing demand "for our free and confidential support services, particularly as mental health and wellbeing concerns have grown across the profession."

She said that Pharmacist Support has, over the years, built a strong foundation of evidence and insight into the challenges faced by pharmacy professionals.

"This new strategic agreement will help us to build on that work and extend our reach, ensuring more individuals know where to turn when they need help. Whether it’s accessing timely, preventative wellbeing information or more specialist emotional or financial support, our aim is that no one in our pharmacy family should face difficult times alone," she said.

“While we’re committed to working collaboratively with the GPhC to improve wellbeing across the profession, we want to reassure those who come to us for help that this agreement doesn’t change the way we operate," she added.