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Letters to the Editor
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Work breaks
Call for reasonable work breaks
From Mrs L. K. Gilpin, MRPharmS
I would like to further the debate on work breaks in pharmacy. Lorry
drivers and others are, quite correctly, pilloried for not taking appropriate
rest periods, but pharmacists are expected to work for ridiculously long
periods without taking breaks. Considering the focus on patient safety,
is this really a viable way forward for the profession?
This is an issue that can affect locum pharmacists more than others because
they are generally expected to fit in with the ethos of each pharmacy
at which they work. Ever since Locum Voice, the pressure group for locum
pharmacists was formed, this has been one of the topics of most concern
to it.
There is obviously a great deal of pressure being exerted on the individual
pharmacist to work without a break in some community pharmacies.
We have the European Working Time Directive that has been used to great
effect by some pharmacists but the threat of European law should not
be necessary. It should be obvious to owners and managers alike that
people need reasonable breaks, not least to minimise the chance of errors
being made.
I would call upon all of these owners and managers to put into place
a system in their pharmacies for ensuring that reasonable breaks are
available for their staff, pharmacists and locums.
I would also invite primary care organisations to check that this has
been carried out and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to put into place
a framework for safe working in this regard.
To expect people to work without reasonable breaks is dangerous, immoral
and ultimately detrimental to the profession.
Lindsey Gilpin
English National Board Election Candidate
New Malden, Surrey
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Pharmaceutical Journal