2020 was an unprecedented year for pharmacy teams across the UK and C+D's Salary Survey revealed the impact the added workload and stresses is having on pharmacists' and pharmacy staff's health and wellbeing. April marks stress awareness month, so C+D is asking you to share your tips and advice on maintaining your and your team's mental wellbeing in these high pressured times.

The Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) officially launched in England on October 29, 2019.  NHS England’s deputy chief pharmaceutical officer Bruce Warner heralded the introduction of the service as a “major step change” for the NHS.  Fast-forwarding to over one year after its launch, C+D publishes its analysis of the first 12 months of the CPCS. Keep your eyes peeled for more CPCS content on both our main website and the C+D community. Help us get the discussion going by sharing what your experience of this service has been like so far!

With the exam merely days away tell us how you're feeling and how you're preparing for the exam. 

Last year we ran a Big Debate on the topic of provisionally registered pharmacists still being required to take the registration exam. You can still take part and share your thoughts here: https://community.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/rooms/the-big-debate/conversations/31129 

In the gphc assessment, will there be actions in place if this had occured then? This had put myself and others into a panic when the exam was in progress and had caused distraction.

This week, the GPhC contacted some candidates who do not currently reside in the UK, informing them that they will no longer be allowed to sit the March registration exam remotely or at a local test centre. Did you receive an email from the GPhC? Let us know how the announcement affects you.

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the UK in 2020 many primary care providers closed their doors to limit the spread of the virus, but pharmacies remained open.  Patient demand on pharmacy teams surged to extraordinary levels. How did your workplace conditions fare throughout the year? 

If not, why not? Did you apply to become a designated pharmacy-led site? Were you put off by the strict requirements? Are you eager to get involved, but haven't yet been given the opportunity? Or are you a bit reluctant to take on additional workload at this time? If you are involved, tell us about it! Use this room to share your opinions and experiences - the highs and lows - shout about the fab work your team are doing, or just have a chat with fellow pharmacists and pharmacy staff about the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme.