By Asra Ahmed, RPS Pharmacy Professional Engagement Lead for England
I want to share an example that highlights the incredible impact of workforce initiatives on staff wellbeing. Particularly, I want to take you through my experience with protected learning time and how it became a catalyst for positive change when I worked at Haringey GP Federation.
The team's vision
In 2018, the pharmacy team in Haringey was established with the ambition of setting up an innovative model for a centralised pharmacy workforce within general practices. I had the privilege of being part of this journey, where I served as a senior clinical pharmacist. Our mission was clear: integrate pharmacists seamlessly into general practice to improve patient care across all 35 practices in the borough.
Bridging gaps through tailored education and training
Central to our success was a robust education and training agenda. We understood the need to upskill pharmacists rapidly to deliver on primary care priorities. We identified gaps in the national CPPE training pathway for learning and development and built an in-house education and training agenda to support the mobilisation of pharmacists in general practices.
Our tailored approach included monthly training sessions, weekly drop-in sessions for clinical support and personalised development plans. Our senior team supported pharmacists in quality improvement projects and promoted peer networking and interprofessional learning in Primary Care Network (PCN) meetings. This wasn't just about learning; it was about building a culture of innovation and encouraging clinical leadership within our team.
The benefits of protected learning time
Protected learning time was key to unlocking the potential of pharmacists in our team. By safeguarding dedicated periods during work hours for educational and developmental activities, we supported pharmacists in focusing on their professional growth without the pressures of day-to-day tasks. The senior team’s commitment to creating opportunities for portfolio building and development led to increased staff morale, along with improvements in patient outcomes and patient safety.
Embracing a learning culture
Our journey isn't just about past achievements, it's about building a sustainable culture of learning. Today, protected learning time is ingrained in their daily operations. Their team continues to evolve, ensuring each member has the tools to thrive within their role.
Reflecting on the journey, it's clear that investing in workforce initiatives like protected learning time is crucial. By prioritising staff wellbeing, we create a ripple effect that positively impacts patient care and the outcomes of our work. This isn't a one-time initiative, it's a commitment to continuous improvement and workforce development.
Read our latest Workforce Wellbeing Roundtable Report.
Read more RPS blogs.