Increases seen in numbers of pharmacists and support staff employed
by the NHS
Numbers of pharmacists employed by the NHS have increased more than those for other health professions over recent years, new figures show.
The number of qualified staff directly employed in pharmacy posts in
the NHS in England has risen by 65 per cent in the past 10 years, according
to the latest workforce survey published by the Department of Health.
The survey shows that full-time equivalent numbers of qualified staff
(pharmacists, scientific officers and pharmacy technicians) increased
from 7,229 in September 1995 to 11,900 in September 2005. About half
of the 2005 FTE number (5,119) relates to pharmacists. There were nine
consultant pharmacists in September 2005, holding the equivalent of six
full-time posts.
Pharmacy support staff numbers have also shown a dramatic increase, from
925 in 1995 to 2,918 last year — an increase of 216 per cent.
The growth in qualified pharmacy staff over the past ten years is greater
than the increase in directly employed doctors and dentists (57 per cent),
the increase in nurses (25 per cent) and the total increase for all NHS
staff (32 per cent). The figures are for the Hospital
and Community Health Service in England, which includes all NHS trusts
(primary and secondary care) and strategic health authorities.
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Hospital Pharmacist