PSNC launches surveys to collect data on pharmacy pressures

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has launched two surveys to gather data on the pressures that people working in community pharmacies are facing.

Pharmacy teams have informed the negotiator about the ongoing financial and operational pressures and expressed concerns that these pressures could impact patients’ care.

The surveys would give a snapshot of the problems faced by pharmacies and the results will be used in ongoing discussions with NHS England & NHS Improvement and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The results will also help PSNC to make pharmacy’s case in conversations with the MPs, ministers and the national media.

The two separate surveys are for:

Pharmacy business owners/head office representatives - This survey covers the pressures faced by businesses, including financial and staffing pressures.

Pharmacy teams – It covers the day-to-day pressures experienced by pharmacy teams including supply chain issues, patient interactions/experience and staff morale.

Zoe Long, PSNC’s director of communications and public affairs, said: “Community pharmacies are facing a growing range of pressures and challenges at the moment, and the continuing exceptional levels of service being provided in pharmacies are testament to the huge efforts being made by everyone working in them. But we believe that managing so many spinning plates is having serious consequences for the wellbeing of some pharmacy teams, as well as storing up yet more problems for businesses and their patients in the future.

“We have given this message to government and to the NHS time and time again, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that they understand the very serious consequences that the decisions they make are having.”

She added that surveys are short and can be completed quickly.