Key Summary
- RPS wants pharmacy central to the NHS workforce plan
- Key asks: training, prescribing, retention, protected development time
- Pharmacy teams under pressure and need stronger recognition and support
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has urged the government to bring pharmacists and pharmacy at the heart of the next NHS workforce plan.
The RPS was responding to the government’s call for evidence after the publication of 10-year health plan.
The government has sought evidence on key factors that might influence the future NHS workforce: the ‘three shifts’ in patient care, trends in service delivery, productivity, and culture and values.
RPS chair Tase Oputu stated, “Workforce is the biggest budget spend for our health service. Medicines are second.”
“If the Government is serious about transforming the NHS, then pharmacy must be at the heart of its workforce plan,” she added.
The RPS had invited members to share case studies and evidence to formulate its response to the government.
The key topics include: Education and training needs for a growing and developing pharmacy workforce; the future of pharmacist prescribing and scope of practice; the need for pharmacists to have protected time for professional development; measures to boost recruitment and retention; and the impact of new technologies, pharmacy supervision changes and skill mix.
Ms Oputu said, “With changes to NHS structures and pharmacy teams under enormous pressure, it is vital our workforce gets the recognition and support it deserves.”
She thanked the members, pharmacy teams and specialist groups who shared their experiences, case studies and evidence.
Workforce was a key issue discussed at a September roundtable hosted by the Pharmaceutical Journal on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
