Public consultation on draft Safe Staffing Guidelines

About this public consultation

Our role as the pharmacy regulator is to assure the safety and quality of pharmacy services, as well as the profession of pharmacy, in the public interest.  

The PSI Workforce Intelligence Report, published in September 2023, offered an overview of Ireland’s pharmacy workforce and included recommendations for its long-term sustainability. The report’s recommendations and actions were developed following extensive consultation and engagement with pharmacists and others and from analysis of evidence and perspectives from a literature review, workforce survey and focus groups. One recommendation, to be delivered within 1-2 years, was for the PSI to issue guidelines outlining what is expected from pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists, and supervising pharmacists to ensure safe staffing levels, proper staff mix, and sufficient rest breaks in community pharmacies.  

Safe staffing is a foundational component of all healthcare settings, including pharmacies. It is essential that staff arrangements support the particular community pharmacy environment and that consideration is given to the complexity and range of services being provided to the public. The guidelines will assist those in pharmacy governance roles and all pharmacists in fulfilling their professional responsibilities according to the Code of Conduct. The development of these guidelines acknowledges the importance of allowing pharmacists to concentrate on their work, reduce interruptions, and maintain adequate, skilled staffing, all crucial aspects of both pharmacists’ work life and the quality of patient care provided. 

Draft guidelines in support of safe staffing in pharmacies have been developed and are now available for review and and feedback during this public consultation period. The guidelines will be issued under Regulation 14 of the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Business Regulations 2008 (as amended). The Guidelines define the main duties of pharmacists and those in governance positions to help pharmacies comply with the need to maintain appropriate staffing, having regard to the health, safety and convenience of the public, as outlined in the Regulations. They are intended to support owners and superintendent pharmacists in meeting their obligations under these Regulations.

Purpose of the Guidelines 

The guidelines establish regulatory expectations for pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists, and supervising pharmacists in relation to staffing levels, skill mix, and rest periods. These requirements, which are aligned with statutory obligations, are designed primarily to safeguard patient and public safety.

The purpose of the guidelines includes:

1. Clarifying the responsibilities of governance roles in staffing decisions.
2. Supporting ongoing improvements in quality and patient safety.
3. Introducing a main principle and accompanying indicators to embed safe staffing assessment and practice.
4. Highlighting the link between staff wellbeing, staff retention and patient safety.

The guidelines establish a fundamental principle supported by four indicators designed to ensure safe staffing within pharmacies. A self-assessment checklist is provided for individuals in governance roles to use alongside these guidelines. Pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists, and supervising pharmacists in the pharmacy each hold specific responsibilities under the four key indicators to promote and maintain safe staffing practices within the pharmacy. The tenets of individual responsibility and appropriate governance accountability are balanced in the framework of the guidelines.

How can I provide feedback? 

We invite you to review the proposed Safe Staffing guidelines and provide your feedback by Friday, 6 February 2026. 

1. Online Questionnaire 

You can send us your feedback using the online consultation survey. 

2. Email 

Write to us by email to consultation@psi.ie.  

What happens next? 

After the closing date, the PSI will assess and collate all feedback. We will draft a consultation report that will be considered by the PSI Council and published later on our website. Any further changes to the proposed guidelines from the consultation feedback, will be reviewed and decided on by the PSI Council. 

Data Protection and Freedom of Information 

The information provided to PSI consultations will be stored in a secure and confidential manner by the PSI, it will only be used for the purposes outlined and it will be deleted in line with the PSI’s record retention policy. After each public consultation we publish a consultation report on this website that contains a summary of comments received, the PSI response to those, and a list of any organisations that have given their feedback, where provided. Please note that submissions made to the PSI as part of public consultations are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.