The 2005 pharmacy workforce census: some common questions answered
Pharmacists across Britain should by now have received a 2005 census form from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. A number of queries about the census have been raised with the Society and the answers to some common enquiries are set out below.
The Society’s registration team is available to answer any other
queries that members may have (e-mail registration@rpsgb.org; tel 020
7572 2322).
Why is the Society undertaking another census?
This is the third census the Society has commissioned. The first was
2002 and the second in 2003. These studies generated a significant
amount of information, which has been used to inform the Society’s
workforce planning and policy development. For these two years, the
Society was able to construct a comprehensive picture of who was working,
where and for how many hours in each sector of practice. It also identified
interesting trends in the data such as potentially falling participation
rates, movements between sectors and an increase in portfolio working.
The purpose of undertaking a further census in 2005 is to identify
whether there have been any changes in workforce patterns and to ascertain
any new and emerging trends in the workforce.
I don’t work in pharmacy, so why should I complete the
census form?
The Society recognises that not every pharmacist registered with the
Society works in a pharmacy role. However, it is extremely important
that all members complete and return the form so that that the Society
has a full and comprehensive picture of how many people do not work in
pharmacy and to establish any intentions to return to pharmacy. Although
there is no obligation on any pharmacist, working or not, to complete
and return the census, it is hoped that members will do so. If you are
not working in pharmacy we only need you to answer up to Question 6,
so it should not take up too much of your time.
How will the results be used?
The aggregated results will be used by the Society to inform future policy
development. A summary report of the characteristics of the pharmacy
workforce will be produced and made available on the Society’s
website. Information on the results will also be made available to
the pharmacy press.
In addition, the Society has been working with the health departments
in England, Scotland and Wales to develop a full workforce planning model
that takes account of future demand for, as well as supply of, the pharmacy
workforce. It is hoped that the results from the 2005 census will be
used to inform this model and to ensure that the outputs are based on
a valid picture of the evolving pharmacy workforce.
Why is my registration number on the form?
Your registration number is on the form to enable the independent research
team to access data relating to demographic characteristics such as
gender and age. The Society itself does not have access to the individual
census response forms.
The inclusion of registration numbers on the form also allows the research
team to establish the demographic characteristics of those who do not
complete and return the form. This information on the non-responders
means that we are able to ascertain how reliable the data collected through
the census are.
Who will have access to my responses?
The University of Manchester has been commissioned to manage the 2005
pharmacy workforce census and researchers there will analyse the findings.
Society staff will only see the aggregated data and will not be able
to identify individual pharmacists or their responses. In line with
the
Society’s registration with the Information Commissioner we are
able to use data for research purposes. Further information is available
from the Information Commissioner’s website (www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk).
Do I have to answer all the questions on the form?
There is no statutory requirement for pharmacists to complete the census
form so you are under no obligation to answer any of the questions.
Even if you do not feel able to answer one or more of the questions
we would still be grateful if you could answer the other questions
and return the form as any information provided will be helpful.
Why do you want to know the postcode of where I work?
This information helps us to understand regional workforce issues such
as whether the workforce shortage is concentrated in particular areas.
We are also interested in learning more about locum working patterns — how
many pharmacies a locum tends to work in and how far he or she travels
to work as a locum.
My census form was sent to the wrong address. What should I do?
Please contact the registration team to verify that we hold your correct
registered address. Any discrepancies concerning your address can be
amended over the telephone and a replacement census questionnaire can
be provided if required.
There was no envelope enclosed with my form. What should I do?
The census can still be returned by freepost. Please return the questionnaire
in an envelope addressed to: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great
Britain, PO Box 99, Freepost ANG 10016, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6SN.
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