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Rising workload, staffing issues and a chronic funding deficit are contributing to a mental health crisis within England's community pharmacies, a new survey reveals. 

Community Pharmacy England has released its findings on sector attitudes to staffing and morale based on responses from 4,300 pharmacies and 1,600 staff members, with 70 per cent of the latter saying work pressures were affecting their mental health - and a further 25 per cent reporting "barely coping" or "not coping at all". 

The problem appears to be near-universal, with 95 per cent of survey respondents reporting increased pressure on staff and 57 per cent saying that staff are working longer hours. 

Asked what was driving workplace pressures, workload (88 per cent of respondents), difficulties sourcing medicines (80 per cent) and funding (61 per cent) were cited as key factors by respondents. 

Meanwhile, 58 per cent said rising patient demand for services was contributing to stress within the team and 54 per cent reported that they had been on the receiving end of abuse from patients. 

Patients are having to wait longer to see a staff member, 81 per cent of respondents said, with more than half reporting they have less capacity to provide services and advice. A third said their pharmacy has stopped non-essential services and 18 per cent said opening hours have been reduced.

While only 30 per cent said a lack of available staff was a key factor behind these pressures, 60 per cent of pharmacy staff reported that their pharmacy is currently experiencing staff shortages and 21 per cent said it had been forced to close temporarily as a result of this.

Contractors drawing on personal savings

Sixty per cent of respondents said the pharmacy owner has not taken a salary or other income out of the business, while 52 per cent said the business is being subsidised by their personal savings and 37 per cent have been unable to pay their wholesaler bills on time. 

And 48 per cent of owners reported struggling with "unsustainable" staffing or locum costs and 21 per cent said they have had to make staff redundant. 

CPE described work-life balance as a "long-standing issue," with many owners reporting having to work long hours and unpaid overtime. 

Many pharmacists report "feeling valued by patients but underappreciated by the NHS, with much unpaid time spent on patient consultations," the negotiator added.

One contractor told CPE: "I end up going to work every Sunday to do paperwork. I never get to leave my workplace on time. 

"I arrive one hour before opening the pharmacy and leave anywhere up to two to three hours after closing. 

"In reality, I do not have a life. On days I am off work I am constantly worn out."

Another said: "Staff morale is very low, we are overstretched and can’t even see an end to the challenges... I am not sure how much longer I can go on."

Marc Donovan, public affairs director at Boots and a CPE committee member, said: "These results show the intense pressures on pharmacy teams and businesses. 

"Workforce shortages, staffing costs that businesses can’t sustain, and ongoing funding challenges mean many owners have stopped recruiting or are considering selling up. 

"In some cases, wages take up so much of the budget that finances are under real strain."

CPE chief executive Janet Morrison commented: "This report highlights the human cost behind the data, especially the dedication of professionals keeping services running under immense strain. Their commitment to patients is unwavering, but it cannot be taken for granted. 

"The experiences of pharmacy owners and their staff who have shared their stories with us show the extraordinary personal sacrifices pharmacy professionals are making just to keep their doors open."

Ms Morrison said their is a need to "work collaboratively across the NHS and government to ensure meaningful investment in community pharmacy, better workforce support, and a sustainable funding model".

Danielle Hunt, chief executive of Pharmacist Support, said her charity's team hears from struggling pharmacists "every day," adding: "To create a sustainable future for pharmacy, wellbeing must be recognised and supported at every level, including being built into policy, funding and workforce planning.

"The people behind the counter are essential to patient care, and it's time their wellbeing was treated as equally essential."

Related: Medicines shortages among top issues stressing pharmacists

‘I haven’t had a day off for two years’: Survey finds rising staff costs are driving pressures