As the recognised independent trade union representing GP Pharmacists in Northern Ireland, the PDA has built a network of trained representatives. Supported by PDA staff, the network are pharmacists in Northern Ireland standing up for their colleagues. Here is the team:
Una O’Farrell
GP Pharmacist and PDA National Officer for Northern Ireland
I have practiced exclusively as a locum throughout Northern Ireland, and I have experience of a broad spectrum of practice in the community. I have been a Pharmacy Lead in the Causeway integrated care partnership and through this gained an understanding of where pharmacy sits with the wider health landscape.
Since becoming the National Officer this year, I have had insight into the issues affecting all pharmacists, including those who work in hospital and GP federation pharmacists, trainees and students. In this post, I have been able to nurture my commitment to motivating PDA members and other pharmacists to take part in discussions relating to issues that affect them, whilst taking steps towards creating a unionised workforce that’s in line with other healthcare professions.
I am also a Board Member of The Pharmacy Forum NI, and now frequently work in private practice in central London as well as in NI.
Laura Kearney
GP Pharmacist
I’m a General Practice Pharmacist working in East Belfast. I qualified as a pharmacist in 2002 and have worked in primary care since 2017.
I am passionate about promoting the career of pharmacy in all sectors, particularly in primary care. I believe that a strong union can help us develop this new role and the opportunities and challenges that it presents.
David Lenagh
GP Pharmacist
I have been a pharmacist for 10 years, working previously in community pharmacy and then as a practice-based pharmacist in two busy health centres for the past three years.
As a new rep in a relatively new job role for pharmacists in Northern Ireland, I hope to help improve the terms and conditions of our members and to extend the scope of the role. The PDA Union looks after the interests of individual pharmacists, and I am privileged to support that in this new federation representative position.
Simon Galbraith
GP Pharmacist
I’ve worked in a number of pharmacist roles in community pharmacy, including relief pharmacist and pharmacy manager roles at large multiple pharmacy chains, before taking up my current position in general practice. I have worked in primary care since 2018 and was delighted to learn that PDA Union had secured a recognition agreement with GP Federations in Northern Ireland.
I recognise the value of union in supporting pharmacists and hope to play my part in ensuring that the views of members are heard. The role of pharmacists in general practice is one that will continue to evolve, and the union will help to ensure that pharmacists are treated fairly as this happens and that future pay and terms are effectively negotiated on behalf of employee pharmacists.
I am happy to take up the position of a PDA Rep in order to help facilitate this process which can only benefit us all as employee pharmacists.
