In Profession news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

The number of pharmacists employed in community pharmacies in England increased by 5 per cent in 2024 to 28,763, up from 27,487 in 2023, according to figures from the 2024 Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey.

There was a 12 per cent drop in the full-time equivalent figures for locum pharmacists, matched by an 18 per cent increase in employed pharmacists. The average FTE pharmacist in each pharmacy now stands at 1.79.

Overall the total workforce (including technicians, counter staff and drivers) fell by 4 per cent, with number of support staff - both trained counter assistants and drivers - down by 23 per cent.

The number of independent prescribers continued to grow (up 34 per cent ) to 1,996 FTE (2,513 individuals): IPs are now found in 1 in 5 pharmacy premises.

NHS England concludes that the data “provides evidence that community pharmacy has the potential to align with the 10 Year Health plan, by building upon the prescribing capability of pharmacists and strengthening the clinical facing role of pharmacy technicians with a focus on prevention to treatment and hospital to community”.

Although they remain high, vacancy rates fell in key areas. Vacancy rates (VFTE) for pharmacists fell to12 per cent, for pharmacy technicians to 26 per cent, to 37 per cent for accuracy checkers, 35 per cent for dispensing assistants and 25 per cent for trained counter assistants.

There was a 22 pr cent increase in pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians (218 FTE), however the survey notes that 811 people who completed technician training had not joined the GPhC register.

Commenting on the results, Company Chemist Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison said: “It is promising to see some of the key metrics improving, following consistent decline since 2021.Despite the size of the community pharmacy network reducing, several staff groups have seen growth. We welcome the increase in the number of trainee pharmacy technicians, for example.

“Vacancy rates remain high, showing a desire from pharmacy businesses to invest in their workforce. It is concerning however that almost 1 in 4 pharmacies had access to an independent prescriber during the survey week, yet less than 10 per cent used their skills in their community role.

“We encourage the government to incorporate independent prescribing into an expanded Pharmacy First service to help deliver on its objectives of moving more preventative care in the community.”

At the time of the survey in autumn 2024 there were 10,554 pharmacies, a reduction of 221 from 2023. The 2024 survey maintained a consistent approach to the previous surveys, focusing on the number of staff, the number of full-time equivalents (FTE) and any vacancies in each of ten staff categories employed in community pharmacy

NHS England commissioned the first community pharmacy workforce survey across England in 2017. From 2021 the survey has been repeated annually to help understand the size and make-up of the community pharmacy workforce and to inform future planning by the NHSE Workforce Training and Education directorate (formerly HEE).

From October 2022, new regulations laid out by the Department of Health and Social Care) required pharmacy contractors to complete an annual workforce survey.