Issues around workforce pressures and pharmacist recruitment were discussed during NPA’s latest Scottish Member Forum.
NPA Members from across Scotland came together for the Spring member forum which took place virtually on Wednesday 3rd March. They discussed the current workforce situation, NPA advocacy and identified independent community pharmacy business support.
Over a hundred pharmacies in Scotland were represented during the member forum.
NPA members highlighted their growing concerns around workforce which included sustaining the current pharmacy network, recruitment of advanced community pharmacists into GP practices and difficulties in finding locum cover in rural areas.
Phil Galt, NPA Board Member for Scotland said: “The forum is a great way to meet with other pharmacy owners and superintendents to discuss what matters now in independent community pharmacy. There was a great deal of depth in the discussions that we had and I’m grateful to all the NPA members who contributed.
“Community pharmacy workforce pressures in Scotland are damaging the sector like never before and we’re in a precarious situation where we may not have a viable community pharmacy network in the country which could impact patient care and the NHS.
“The NPA will be taking on board the feedback and comments from the discussion to see how we can alleviate the current pressures facing pharmacy teams.”
The NPA is collating responses from NPA members to support its conversations with Scottish and UK pharmacy organisations to highlight the current community pharmacy workforce situation. Follow this link to fill in a quick survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2Y6CGJR
If you are an NPA member and would like to attend future Scottish Member Forums contact NPA’s Scotland Representation Manager, Janice Oman [email protected] for further information.