Hundreds sign RPS' inclusion and wellbeing pledge in first week

The RPS's pledge "to be inclusive, celebrate diversity, create a culture of belonging, and support pharmacy teams’ health and wellbeing" has received hundreds of signatures in a week.

The so-called 'Inclusion and Wellbeing Pledge', which is part of the RPS' inclusion and diversity strategy, was released on Wednesday, June 9. It has been signed by over 650 individuals, community pharmacies and organisations wanting to make a difference.

"All are committed to embracing and celebrating the diversity of the pharmacy profession, making it better for everyone," the RPS said in a press release on Wednesday (June 17).

One of those who signed the pledge, Liz Fidler, president of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK, said: "APTUK is proud to back the RPS Inclusion and Wellbeing Pledge as part of our commitment to promoting equality, valuing diversity and being inclusive.

“Pharmacy technicians and the whole team should feel supported and valued throughout their career.

“APTUK will continue to work with others across the profession to make change happen.  Only by valuing each other, respecting difference and recognising how this makes us stronger, will we create a more unified profession.”

Another signatory, Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots UK, said: "The wellbeing of our pharmacists is very important to us. They have been at the front line of healthcare during the pandemic, working harder than ever in the service of their patients.

"As the largest employer of pharmacists outside the NHS, Boots is proud to sign the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Inclusion and Wellbeing Pledge.”

Nottingham University Hospitals Pharmacy said: "We at NUH Pharmacy promise to uphold the values of inclusivity and wellbeing laid out in the RPS Inclusion and Wellbeing pledge.

“We will strive to grow our understanding of these issues for the benefit of our team and patients."

Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Sandra Gidley added: “It has been wonderful to see such great support for the Inclusion and Wellbeing Pledge from pharmacists and organisations across Great Britain and beyond.

“It is an initiative that is extremely important for us at RPS, and one that has clearly resonated more than ever after the past 18 months.

“It does not just stop at signing, however – we endeavour to follow up this pledge with action and are committed to making a real difference.”