Pharmacies must be safe workplaces
PHARMACY bosses are being urged to engage with employees to address psychological risk factors in the workplace, by union group Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA).
PPA CEO, Jill McCabe, told Pharmacy Daily that the organisation was “extremely concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of Australian pharmacists”, following the release of US data showing that pharmacists have a higher suicide rate than the general population (PD 17 May).
“We are aware that pharmacists like other frontline health workers experience serious psychological health and safety risks in the workplace – including long working hours, high workloads, long periods of vigilance, significant emotional effort engaging with patients, lack of adequate workplace support and low recognition and reward,” McCabe said.
“Even before the pandemic, Australia’s pharmacists were dealing with long hours, overwork and low pay.
“These pressures intensified throughout the pandemic and have taken their toll on the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists here and overseas.
“Pharmacy employers must adopt a more proactive and systemic approach to prevent work related psychological harm from occurring in pharmacies.
“Psychological risks in pharmacy must be better assessed and action taken to eliminate or reduce these risks.
“The most effective way to address these risks is through meaningful consultation with pharmacy staff and their representatives – as they are best placed to advise on the risks they face and how these risks can be controlled.
“In addition, pharmacy employers must intervene early and provide meaningful support to staff experiencing work related stress.
“Staff must feel supported to report work related stress and employers must modify working arrangements and provide employees with access to appropriate support services.
“Undertaking mental health first aid training and working with mental health experts will enable pharmacies to better understand and respond to mental health and safety in pharmacy settings.”
Pharmacists who are experiencing a crisis situation, which may or may not include thoughts of suicide can seek support from organisations including the Pharmacists’ Support Service on 1300 244 910, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 437 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.