Equality, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to delivering equality, improving diversity and being inclusive in all our work as a healthcare regulator and an employer. 

We want pharmacy to be an inclusive place, free from discrimination. 

That’s why we’re putting equality, diversity and inclusion into everything that we do. It’s integral to our Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan, which set out our roadmap for the future of pharmacy regulation.

 

Our EDI strategy and approach

We’ve worked together with people from both inside and outside our organisation to develop our strategy ‘Delivering equality, improving diversity and fostering inclusion’.  

In line with our strategy, we’re committed to being proactive and using all of our regulatory levers and influence to help tackle discrimination and reduce health inequalities. It’s also about equipping pharmacy teams to tackle discrimination and health inequalities, using our standards and guidance to help them do that.

The strategy covers all aspects of our work as a regulator and an employer. It includes three strategic themes, each underpinned with a set of objectives and outcomes. We report annually to our Council on progress, as well as providing interim updates as necessary. 

EDI diagram

Prior to launching it, we consulted on our draft strategy to help transform the GPhC’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Read the consultation analysis report

Providing services for Welsh language users

We recognise the cultural and linguistic needs of Welsh speaking people. We are committed to implementing the Welsh language standards.

The Welsh language standards promote and facilitate the Welsh language, and ensure that the Welsh language is not treated less favourably than the English language in Wales.

Welsh language standards

Reasonable adjustments - how we support the public and the people we regulate

If you have a disability, or mental health or physical health issue, we can help you by making adjustments to remove or reduce barriers you might be facing, when using our services.

If you think a reasonable adjustment may help, please read our guide to reasonable adjustments to find out more about what we can do.

Read the guide

Our memberships

We’re a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a member of the Business Disability Forum. 

Being members of specialist equality organisations means we’re a part of a wider movement of organisations that are working to advance equality, raise awareness, celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.

Equality focused roundtables

We’ve are hosting a series of equality focussed roundtables and events, to help shape our regulatory work, informed by the experiences our stakeholders.

This links directly to the commitments in our EDI strategy to help tackle the different types of discrimination within pharmacy and to support an open and inclusive culture where pharmacy teams are empowered to meet their professional and legal obligations.  

Report from Racism in pharmacy roundtable - November 2022

Report from Language barriers and health inequalities roundtable - September 2023

Report from Racism in pharmacy roundtable - October 2023

Gender pay gap reporting

We are committed to the fair treatment and reward of all our employees. As of April 2023, the GPhC employed over 250 employees and so, for the first time, we are required to publish our gender pay gap data.

Read the report

Protected characteristics of pharmacists involved in the managing concerns process 

Our report provides a breakdown of concerns raised about pharmacists by age, ethnicity and sex in 2021/22, looking specifically at concerns received and investigated, statutory outcomes of closed concerns and progression through the process.  

Read the report

Inclusive pharmacy practice

Inclusive pharmacy practice (IPP) is a joint initiative with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK, and a number of partner organisations, including the General Pharmaceutical Council. Our chief executive, Duncan Rudkin, sits on the IPP Advisory Board.

IPP focuses on making the workplace more inclusive for pharmacy professionals, with a senior leadership that reflects our diverse communities. And engaging with local communities, helping to address health inequalities.

Read our case studies and contributions to the IPP bulletin:

Cardiovascular disease: how pharmacy teams are supporting their local communities 

Improving diversity in senior pharmacy professional leadership 

Tackling differential attainment together 

Supporting mental health and wellbeing through pharmacy regulation