The survey is open to all pharmacists in every setting, including students. This year’s survey is focused on exploring some of the obstacles that prevent workforce wellbeing measures being implemented in practice.

Pharmacists are working under intense pressure, which makes it vital that their workplace supports good mental health and wellbeing and provides the right environment to help prevent negative effects on the workforce.

“As the profession’s charity, data is crucial to help us better understand the current challenges and pressures within the profession” commented Pharmacist Support Chief Executive Danielle Hunt. “Although we speak directly with hundreds of pharmacists, trainees, and students every year, it’s important we build a picture of what’s happening in the profession as a whole. That way, we are able to raise awareness of the issues impacting wellbeing, as well as ensure that support is in place and accessible to all to help reverse these worrying trends.

“As a direct result of the survey findings in last year’s workforce wellbeing survey, this year the charity’s ACTNow wellbeing campaign (that kicks off on 25^th September) focuses on workplace culture and stigma. The campaign will look at wellbeing from a workplace perspective, acknowledging that our workplaces can have both a positive and negative impact on our wellbeing. We will be exploring how we can embed positive wellbeing practices into the workplace, recognising that a cultural shift will only be realised through collaborative working and the commitment of organisations across the profession. We encourage everyone to have their say, to help the profession to work together to address wellbeing.”

Our 2021 survey found that 89% of the pharmacy workforce were at high risk of burnout and 32% of respondents had considered leaving the pharmacy profession. The results of the survey will be used to continue to help shape the charity’s wellbeing support and campaign activity and will also shared with governments across Great Britain, the NHS, and wider stakeholders to advocate for improvements to better support the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists.

Claire Anderson, RPS President, said:

“The pressures faced by pharmacists in every sector are intense and have been for some time. Being continually stressed seems to have become the ‘new normal’ but it’s not sustainable long term and really affects the physical and mental health of many pharmacists and their teams. There is much evidence that demonstrates a stressful workplace can impact patient care too, as well as pharmacists’ own health.

“Please take the time to fill out our survey to let us know what your situation is like. We want to gather the evidence we need to advocate on your behalf to employers and organisations so they act your needs and make the working environment a healthier and happier place.”

The Workforce Wellbeing Survey is anonymous and you don’t need to be a member of RPS to take part. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Take the survey