NHS drive for efficiency
The NHS committed to making £15-20 billion efficiency savings by 2014, and this program of spending cuts continues. This alters the roles of all healthcare professionals and reduces the availability of funding to implement technology-based solutions and value added services. Pharmacists need to learn to work efficiently and adopt a commercial approach to their role. Downward pressure on the number of hospital and locum posts is just one example of the effect of cuts on the pharmacist workforce.
Proposed workforce impact
- Number of pharmacist hospital posts reduced.
- Pharmacists are expected to adopt a commercial approach to their work and achieve more with less.
- Funding for enhanced services is limited.
- Commercial acumen needs to be incorporated into undergraduate training.
Sources or references
- http://www.improvement.nhs.uk/Default.aspx?alias=www.improvement.nhs.uk/qipp
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/17/nhs-cuts-impact-on-patients-revealed
- http://pharmacy.biz/nhs-makes-good-start-in-savings-drive-but-must-raise-standards-1748.aspx
Additional research questions
- How will pharmacist’s roles be altered by moving to providing more efficient services?
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
