However, the PDA urges that investments in pharmacy premises should not only improve the patient experience but also ensure that pharmacists are supported in their expanding clinical roles. It is vital that these investments also prioritise the working environment, rest areas and welfare facilities for pharmacists and their teams. A well-designed workspace that supports clinical care and provides adequate rest areas for staff is essential for maintaining safe, high-quality patient services which in turn improves patient outcomes. PDA members know that even in some pharmacies that may appear to the public as being pristine, the behind-the-scenes staff space can be far from it.
In addition, the £6 million service expansion funding must be directed to where it matters most, the frontline pharmacists delivering care. This includes recruiting and retaining sufficient support staff to manage workload and allowing pharmacists time for protected learning and development. Continuous education and upskilling are critical to the safe and effective delivery of new clinical services. Therefore, pharmacists must have the opportunity to upskill and prepare for expanded clinical roles, so patients can receive the safe, accessible, and expert care they deserve.
Alison Jones, PDA Director of Policy said, “Pharmacists in Wales are stepping up to deliver more clinical services than ever before, however some pharmacy working environments fall short of what would be expected of a clinical healthcare environment. So, the investments announced by the Welsh government are welcome, but they must translate into real improvements at ground level, not just for patients, but for the pharmacists and their teams delivering care. That means funding better working conditions, protected time for learning, and ensuring the infrastructure is there to support safe and effective practice.”
The PDA therefore calls on policymakers and commissioners to work closely with the voices of the workforce to ensure these investments deliver tangible improvements for both patients and pharmacy teams.
Learn more
- The Community Pharmacy Premise Improvement Scheme
- Pharmacies in Wales to provide two new national services to treat sore throats and UTIs
- Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework – Stability Payment 2024/25
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.