RPS publishes updated leadership guidance for pharmacists

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published updated guidance for its members to help them to develop leadership skills within their role.

New criteria for the organisation's leadership development framework are now available via its website and are designed to assist UK pharmacists in enhancing their team leader skills, as well as ways in which they can potentially contribute to improving the care of their patients through their own behaviour.

The current RPS leadership guidance has not been updated since 2011, but the society felt that action needed to be taken to help its members to build on their skills due to the challenges that are now facing the health service.

Director of professional development and support at the RPS Catherine Duggan explained: "Financial pressures, changing demographics, increased patient expectations and scientific advances are all influencing the way in which healthcare is being delivered."

Therefore, the new leadership criteria is designed to underpin these issues and support pharmacists in their career development, while placing "compassion, respect and humanity at the heart of leadership".