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Health Committee report calls for action on burnout

The Health and Social Care Committee has today published a report on Workforce burnout and resilience in the NHS and social care. 

It highlights many issues around burnout and wellbeing support that we are already working on through our Workforce Wellbeing campaign, which focuses on preventing the cause of wellbeing problems, improving workplace culture and the importance of getting support with your wellbeing when needed. Show your support for the campaign.

Commenting on the report, Chair of RPS in England Professor Claire Anderson said: 

“This report underlines yet again how urgent it is that healthcare teams get the support they need. It echoes the results of our 2020 Workforce Wellbeing survey, where 89% of respondents scored as being at high risk of burnout. Despite this, pharmacists and pharmacy teams continue to show their dedication to delivering patient care under extremely challenging circumstances.

“The Committee highlights a number of issues we know all play a part in workforce wellbeing, including having the right skill mix and enough staff to manage workload, support from employers and being able to take a break when you need one.

“The report’s findings on the impact of discrimination are really concerning and underline why it’s vital we drive a change in culture across the health service and make the pharmacy profession more inclusive. 

“RPS welcomed the additional support available to pharmacy teams via new wellbeing hubs in England and the report rightly calls for this to continue after the pandemic. It’s positive to see the committee recommend that the new Integrated Care Systems should facilitate access to wellbeing support for all health and care staff in their area.

“Addressing the root causes of staff burnout and tackling discrimination will need concerted action from across the health service. Today’s report shows how the Government, NHS, employers and leaders across pharmacy must work together to support staff so they can keep looking after patients.”

Read our submission to the select committee inquiry.

Find out more about our work on inclusion and diversity and workforce wellbeing.

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