NHSE last week (December 5) announced it has “introduced a confidential 24/7 text support service” for pharmacists feeling “overwhelmed”.
“The service can be accessed by texting SHOUT to 85258,” it said.
The support is available to “colleagues who may have had a tough day, are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or have a lot on their mind and need to talk it through”, it added.
Read more: Sharp rise in pharmacists seeking support
NHSE yesterday (December 11) told C+D that the service is for all NHS staff and staff delivering NHS healthcare, including pharmacy workers.
The new service was announced in an NHSE primary care bulletin email as part of guidance on “winter wellbeing support for staff”.
“Key priority”
“The wellbeing of NHS staff – including colleagues working in primary care – and supporting them to stay well this winter by ensuring they have access to a number of resources for their physical, mental and financial health and wellbeing, remains a key priority,” it said.
“Colleagues are encouraged to seek timely support,” NHSE said, adding that “additional mental health resources, including wellbeing apps, can be found on [its] website”.
Read more: Pharmacists risk being ‘sidelined’ by pharmacy techs, Streeting told
It comes as the Pharmacists Voice, also known as the Pharmacist Association UK, warned earlier this month (December 1) that the pharmacy sector in the UK is “at a breaking point”.
Pharmacists are faced with “plummeting pay rates” and “deteriorating working conditions”, it said.
“Urgent action is needed to address these issues and ensure the future survival of the profession,” the group stressed.
Read more: Revealed: 97% spike in number of pharmacists seeking debt support
Meanwhile in July, the charity Pharmacist Support released a report showing an alarming rise in the number of pharmacists seeking help and support.
Calls to its peer support scheme rose by 74% and page visits to the website increased by 49%, it said at the time.
