What is ‘wellbeing’?
Wellbeing encompasses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and professional health. For pharmacy teams, achieving wellbeing means maintaining a balanced and positive state that enables them to perform their roles effectively, manage challenges, and provide high-quality care to patients.
Wellbeing in pharmacy
The increasing demands and the high-pressure conditions under which pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and support staff are often working can take a toll on their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Here at the GPhC, we often engage in discussions with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and their representative organisations, as well as patients and the public, about workforce wellbeing. These conversations highlight common themes which affect wellbeing and the ability to provide quality care to patients and the public, including:
- limited resources
- medication shortages
- financial pressures
- workplace abuse
- lack of protected learning time
- long working hours
- inability to take rest breaks
Ensuring the wellbeing of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians is both essential for their personal health, and supports the quality of care they provide to patients. We are aware of the literature surrounding the connection between the wellbeing of healthcare professionals and patient safety outcomes. By encouraging an environment where pharmacy teams can focus on their decisions to deliver safe and effective care, we enable them to work at their best.
Find out more
Healthcare Staff Wellbeing, Burnout, and Patient Safety: A Systematic Review
We published a position statement in December 2022 to set out our role and remit in relation to the wellbeing of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
In Spring 2024, we participated in discussions with various stakeholders following the publication of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (RPS) and Pharmacist Support UK’s Workforce and Wellbeing Survey 2023 results. The report revealed an ongoing trend of burnout among pharmacy staff.
Following the round table discussion, all stakeholders acknowledged:
- that prioritising staff wellbeing and strong leadership is key to delivering safer, higher-quality patient care and improving workforce retention
- the need to provide staff with adequate support, training and supervision to perform their roles effectively
- the importance of collaboration amidst ongoing pressures on pharmacy teams and the broader health service, to ensure patients receive high-quality, well-staffed, and safe pharmacy services
- improving workforce wellbeing is a collective responsibility requiring organisations to work together to enhance the health service, support pharmacy teams, and meet patient needs
We supported the 2024 Workforce Wellbeing Survey organised by the RPS, Pharmacist Support and APTUK by sending it out to the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on our register. The significant increase in the number of responses from pharmacists, and the inclusion of pharmacy technicians for the first time, has helped to paint a full picture of the wellbeing of both pharmacy professions, and the intense pressures they are often facing.
We again welcomed the opportunity to participate in a roundtable to consider the results of the survey and to discuss what we can all do to improve their workforce wellbeing. We look forward to working closely with all the organisations involved to take forward the actions discussed at the roundtable.
Implementing good wellbeing in the workplace
All pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy owners and others in a position of leadership have a responsibility to create and maintain a work environment which prioritises wellbeing, including:
- providing adequate support, training, and resources to enable staff to perform their roles effectively
- ensuring that staff feel empowered to raise concerns
- providing a safe and organised working environment
- offering facilities for rest breaks
The following questions can help you think about how to incorporate effective wellbeing practices in your workplace.
- Would your workplace benefit from having a mental health or wellbeing policy?
- Are there policies in place to support work/life balance such as flexible working or remote working option?
- Would your workplace benefit from having a mental health and wellbeing champion, guardian or first aider?
- Do employees feel confident accessing wellbeing support either internally or externally?
- Do employees have protected learning time during their contracted or working hours?
- Are employees able to take their allocated breaks?
Below are some practical examples of how our standards for pharmacy professionals can support wellbeing in the workplace.
|
Standards for pharmacy professionals |
Practical examples to support wellbeing |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy professionals must work in partnership with others |
|
| Pharmacy professionals must maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills |
|
| Pharmacy professionals must speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong |
|
| Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership |
|
The standards and guidance for registered pharmacies ensure that every pharmacy has the right environment for safe and effective care. Standard 2 highlights the importance of staff being empowered and competent to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public. When healthcare professionals feel confident in their skills and supported in their roles, they experience reduced stress and greater job satisfaction, creating a positive environment benefiting staff and patients.
Our recently published Standards for Chief Pharmacists highlights staff health and wellbeing as a key responsibility, including developing a culture where staff feel supported in challenging behaviours such as bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Further resources
Here are some additional resources to help you support improving wellbeing in your workplace.
Pharmacist Support
Pharmacist Support is an independent charity that aims to champion the wellbeing of current and former pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, and pharmacy students across Great Britain. Their website provides resources to support with mental health and wellbeing, including assistance with work life balance, family and personal life, and financial matters. They also provide access to peer support and counselling services.
In response to the annual workforce wellbeing survey, the charity has developed an Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture course which offers practical strategies to pharmacy managers and leaders to nurture a culture of wellbeing into the workplace.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)
The RPS Wellbeing hub offers support resources for pharmacy staff, focusing on mental health, work-life balance, and professional development including wellbeing toolkits, webinars, and peer support networks.
The RPS inclusion and Wellbeing Pledge and pledge action list aims to support the pharmacy profession to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. They have also designed a tool to further support employers and employees to establish good wellbeing practices.
Additionally the RPS website features blogs from pharmacists from different sectors. These blogs share personal experiences and advice on maintaining wellbeing, providing practical insights and encouragement for pharmacists facing similar challenges.
The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK)
The APTUK wellbeing hub (available to members) signposts members to resources and initiatives on wellbeing, support groups, and professional development opportunities. This includes materials to support with loneliness, stress management, and mindfulness and meditation. Various blogs and podcasts provide hints and tips on self-care, self-worth and other topics surrounding mental health.
The Samaritans
Samaritans has a free and confidential support line for NHS and social care workers open seven days a week. To access the service, call 116 213.
NHS England (NHSE)
NHS England has introduced a confidential 24/7 text support service for pharmacists experiencing feelings of worry or overwhelm and seeking someone to talk to. To access the service, text SHOUT to 85258.