dispensing errors decriminalised as part of a raft of key initiatives to improve
the working conditions of pharmacists, President Steve Churton announced
today.
The commitment is one of the key outcomes to emerge at the conclusion of
the intensive two-day symposium to combat work-related issues in the
profession, Workload pressure and the pharmacy workforce: supporting
professionals and protecting the public.
Steve Churton said: "The decriminalisation of dispensing errors is a key
change we are committed to fighting for. To my mind, the law as it stands is
not only unfair, it is outdated and does not reflect the nature our modern
profession."
The symposium, jointly held with the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust on
28 and 29 April, was a cornerstone of the Society's Workplace Pressure
campaign, which was launched in January. The campaign aims to address
workload and stress issues affecting the profession.
Pharmacy Practice Research Trust Director, Sue Ambler said: "There are
many stakeholders involved in these issues who can all play a part to improve
the situation; the regulator, the professional body, trade unions and
employers. Pharmacists themselves, however, also need to take personal
responsibility for managing their workload and their own health as part of
developing aspects of professionalism."
Steve Churton said: "When I started this campaign, I could not have foreseen
the extent of the reaction from within the profession, which emphatically
confirmed my view that there were problems with pharmacists' workloads and
the expectations placed on them. Judging by the hundreds of emails I have
received on the subject, I think the campaign has touched a nerve in the
profession and I am pleased to see we are addressing issues which have
wide-reaching ramifications."
The Society also voiced its commitment to take a firm line on the enforcement
of rest breaks for pharmacists, in addition to putting in place measures to
make working life easier for responsible pharmacists and locums.
Steve Churton said: "Staff rest breaks and the support of well trained
colleagues at adequate levels are two of the key issues which we know we
can work to improve. I will be looking at how best we can take this forward
and I can promise the profession these issues are upper-most in my mind."
The Pharmacists' Defence Association's Director and presenter at the
symposium, John Murphy said: "There needs to be a cultural shift among
pharmacists and employers, so taking breaks becomes a must. Cultural
change requires strong leadership and direction to ensure change is driven to
the very heart of an organisation."
The symposium, conducted under the Chatham House Rule in order to
engender free and frank discussion, drew together leaders from throughout
the profession. Representatives from trade unions, employee groups,
academia and hospital pharmacy, in addition to pharmacy superintendents
and pharmacy technicians were presented with leading-edge research
regarding the pharmacy workforce over the two-day event. Attendees also
participated in workshops in order to devise practical solutions to work-related
pressure and stress issues.
Sue Ambler said: "The fact that representatives from all key stakeholder
groups came together for two days and invested time and effort to think about
the findings from research, and to plan a programme of joint work to address
this growing problem, is a huge step forward."
Steve Churton said: "I have been encouraged by the past two days and I think
there is a sense of optimism that, if the profession works together, we can
make real, tangible improvements. We need to keep this momentum going."
Notes
1. Workload pressure and the pharmacy workforce: supporting professionals
and protecting the public was held at Founders' Hall, Clerkenwell.
2. Photo attached shows: (From left) Society President Steve Churton and Chair of
the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust (PPRT), Marshall Davies, at the symposium.
3. Further information and quotes for publication may be obtained regarding
the following symposium presenters by contacting PPRT PR consultant
Bonnie Green on 07 774 650 391.
- Professor Karen Hassell, from the University of Manchester's Centre
for Pharmacy Workforce Studies, who spoke on the key factors
contributing to pharmacists' stress and increased workload, including
rising prescription numbers and additional work generated by the
contractual framework for community pharmacy;
- Dr Phil Tucker, of the University of Swansea's Department of
Psychology, who outlined the impact of shift systems and working long
hours on the wellbeing of a workforce;
- Professor David Guest, from King's College London, who discussed
workforce studies showing pharmacists' stress levels were rising higher
than the national average;
- Dr Lynette James, from King's College London's Pharmaceutical
Science Research Division, who spoke on the impact of automation,
distractions and stress on the number of near misses in the dispensary;
- Susan Sanders, from the NHS Pharmacy Education and Development
Committee, who addressed the issues of recruitment and retention of
staff in hospital pharmacy; and
- Professor Christine Bond of the University of Aberdeen's Department
of General Practice and Primary Care, who reported on findings of the
national evaluation of the community pharmacy contract and the impact
of its introduction on workload pressure and stress.
3. The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust
The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust was established by the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society of GB in July 1999 as an independent research
charity with a broad objective to promote and develop the field of
pharmacy practice research. Its trustees are drawn from senior health
policy makers, leading academics, industry and retailers.
The Trust has invested over ВЈ1.5m in research; 30% supporting capacity
building in pharmacy practice research and 70% on commissioned
research. Annual grants from the Pharmaceutical Trust for Education and
Charitable Objectives and the Leverhulme Trades Charities Trust
contribute to the funds of the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust. For
further information and to access reports of Trust commissioned research
go to: pprt
Source
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
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