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.
Most of the delegates agreed “with mapping the future LPC network around ICS, given their growing importance in the healthcare landscape.”
PSNC will use the outcome of these polls to prioritize its workstreams for the coming months.
