NICE is a statutory body that looks at improving outcomes for people using the NHS and other public health and social care services.
Significantly, the NICE guidance includes points on how to develop supportive working environments. This not only recognises the importance of mental wellbeing, but calls on employers to develop policies, processes, and ways of working with staff that are reasonable and inclusive. The guidance also encourages a fair and supportive workplace environment and culture. These should consider legal obligations, statutory requirements, and employer-led strategies, examples of which include work-life balance, anti-bullying, and flexible working.
NICE also considers the importance of organisation-wide approaches to support wellbeing. The guidance recommends that employers should consider using workplace accreditations or charters as well as working with employee representative organisations (such as trade unions or staff networks), to determine whether tailored solutions are needed to improve mental wellbeing in the workplace.
Alison Jones, PDA Director of Policy said, “We welcome the guidance from NICE around workplace mental health and the evidence-based recommendations it puts forward.
Recently, the PDA published the outcomes from several member surveys which paint a concerning picture around workplace wellbeing:
- The Stress and Wellbeing Survey revealed the extent of workplace pressure of those on the frontline in the UK’s largest employers of pharmacists.
- The 2021 Safer Pharmacies Survey told us that there is an almost universal worsening in working conditions in pharmacies.
- A snapshot Workforce Survey found that 56% of respondents are looking to change their current role or employment status in the next 12/18 months citing poor working conditions as one of the reasons for this.
We encourage employers to sign up to the Safer Pharmacies Charter which is focussed on ensuring better working environments and a culture of safety and to engage with organisations such as the PDA to support and implement positive actions which improve mental wellbeing for everyone. We want to remind all pharmacists that joining the PDA Union, and getting involved, is the best way to deliver change at work.”
PDA members who are experiencing difficulties in their workplace should contact the PDA for advice. Pharmacists can also access support around mental wellbeing from the PDA’s charity partner, Pharmacist Support (or the Pharmacists’ Advice & Support Service (PASS) for those practicing in Northern Ireland).
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