The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has called for pharmacists and pharmacy to be at the heart of the forthcoming NHS workforce plan, in our response to a Government call for evidence.

Following the publication of the 10 Year Health Plan in England, the Government issued a call for evidence around key factors that might influence the future NHS workforce: the ‘three shifts’ in patient care, trends in service delivery, productivity, and culture and values.

The RPS invited members to share case studies and evidence to help inform our response.

Key topics include:

• Education and training needs for a growing and developing pharmacy workforce.
• The future of pharmacist prescribing and scope of practice.
• The importance of a supportive development pathway and assurance to support pharmacists’ evolving role in patient care.
• The need for pharmacists to have protected time for professional development, leadership and developing new services.
• Measures to boost recruitment and retention, including support for pharmacists’ wellbeing.
• The impact of new technologies, pharmacy supervision changes and skill mix.

Read our response.

Workforce was a key issue discussed at a September roundtable hosted by the Pharmaceutical Journal on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Ms Tase Oputu, Chair of the RPS in England, said:

"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.

“Pharmacist prescribing and innovations like pharmacogenomics offer huge potential – but to deliver this will require investment in the workforce and pharmacy leadership to maximise the benefits for patients.

“All pharmacy professionals must have access to continuing professional development wherever they may work.

“With changes to NHS structures and pharmacy teams under enormous pressure, it is vital our workforce gets the recognition and support it deserves, so that we can continue making a difference for patients and build a stronger future.

“I want to thank all those members, pharmacy teams and specialist groups who shared their experiences, case studies and evidence to help contribute to our response.”

Read more RPS news stories.