Regulator seeks insights to enable monitoring of workforce trends
The PSI is conducting its fourth annual workforce survey this September and is asking all pharmacists to take part and contribute to this important initiative.
The survey is designed to support the regulator’s ongoing efforts to enhance the data and insights available about the pharmacist workforce in Ireland. Findings will help inform collaborative action by the PSI and other pharmacy stakeholders to help ensure the sustainability of the workforce and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of both the pharmacy sector and wider healthcare system.
Practice advancements
To enable monitoring of workforce trends, the survey repeats many of the questions asked in previous years and also seeks views in relation to current practice advancements, as well as potential future developments. Supervising pharmacists have the opportunity to provide information about their pharmacy, including staffing composition and services provided.
The register of pharmacists in Ireland has been consistently increasing and currently stands at over 7,700. This survey is applicable to registered pharmacists at all career stages and every area of work, including those who work outside of healthcare/pharmacy, retired or temporarily non-practising. With healthcare continuing to evolve, it is increasingly important to see how and where pharmacists are applying their skills and expertise, and to understand the proportion of those registered who are working in direct patient care.
The PSI conducted its first detailed workforce survey in 2022 and subsequently published the Workforce Intelligence Report in 2023. To advance recommendations of that report, a Pharmacy Workforce Working Group was established in April 2024. Jointly overseen by the PSI and the Department of Health, the group includes representation from the HSE, IPU, Schools of Pharmacy, pharmacists in practice, and others. The annual survey is a key component of the group’s ongoing work to monitor changes in
the pharmacy environment. Previous reports and more information on this area of work can be found on the PSI website (www.psi.ie/information-and- resources/future-pharmacy-workforce).
Engagement
All pharmacists registered with the PSI as of 1 September will receive an email with a link to the 2025 workforce survey, which should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The PSI is happy to hear from pharmacists who do not receive access to the survey or who encounter any difficulties with completing it (email professionalstandards@psi.ie).
The PSI said it is grateful for the continued engagement of pharmacists and encourages strong participation in the workforce survey again this year. The insights gathered will be shared in the 2025 Workforce Survey Report, to be published in early 2026.
