Alima Batchelor, PDA Head of Policy, presented the results of the recent GP pharmacist work satisfaction survey. Alima outlined the key areas of concern to PDA members working in GP practices, such as pay, working conditions, and the lack of training and support. Findings also highlighted that pharmacists are often asked to work beyond their competence, which could lead to a breach of professional standards, the terms of their professional indemnity, and CQC requirements. Furthermore, results revealed that excessive workload is leading to stress, burnout and increases patient risk.
Alima, said, “It was great to see so many members logging on for this meeting and participating. The questions and feedback received echoed concerns raised in the survey and raised some new ones. This has reaffirmed the concerns that the PDA has raised since the advent of the NHS England clinical pharmacists in general practice pilot and will aid prioritisation of our work programme in this area for the coming months. We will be looking at the format of future meetings for general practice pharmacists and how we can utilise the survey data, existing documents such as the ‘PDA GP Recruitment Toolkit’, and member feedback when liaising with key pharmacy stakeholders and organisations to address some of the important concerns raised.”
Siddiqur Rahman, GP pharmacist and PDA South East Regional Committee member said, “I took part as a panel member in my role as a Regional Committee member for Primary Care in the South East Region in the PDA’s online event which was exclusively for PDA GP/PCN pharmacist members.
Key themes discussed included pay and lack of career progression in general practices, lack of support and supervision whilst also highlighting the need for leadership and assertive behaviour from pharmacists.
I found this event very informative, and it was interesting to hear that many of the attendees had similar key issues and themes to address. This is useful to pinpoint exactly where support and representation are required for primary care pharmacists.”
Neera Goel, GP pharmacist and PDA West and Wales Committee member said, “It was amazing to see so many pharmacists online and wanting to know the outcomes of the work satisfaction survey and to have the opportunity to hear from ground level what the real concerns are and how the PDA can support. The event made us realise that this is the tip of the iceberg and we can work with members further to support them with their concerns. It has prompted further discussions and what more the PDA can do. It was important as our primary care members feel isolated in their roles and this was an opportunity to come together and listen to each other, an opportunity to work together and support each other. I was pleased that many found the event useful, and I hope we can continue representing our members on issues that matter the most to them.”
The GP work satisfaction survey results can be found here.
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Learn more
- PDA General Practice survey
- PDA launches General practice pharmacist work satisfaction survey
- PDA Workplace Reps
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