RICHARD HUTTON (LOCUM PHARMACIST AND REGIONAL OFFICIAL)
I underwent my pre-reg year at Nottingham General Hospital and then took up a position as a manager of a busy community pharmacy in West Yorkshire. Over the next 20 years, I built a group of 12 pharmacies and assisted in the establishment of a further 4 pharmacies in Jersey. I then moved to wholesale pharmacy and later moved into locum and consultancy work.
I first joined the PDA Union as a Chair and Executive Member for the North Regional Committee and later progressed to Regional Official. My work at the PDA mostly involves casework, but I have also been fortunate enough to support our Lloyds Reps Network, as well as being involved in setting up our Ability Network.
I believe that people who feel valued are usually the most productive members of the workforce, and my work at the PDA has given me the opportunity to help and support them moving forward.
Darren Anthony Powell (Community Pharmacist, Doncaster/Leeds)
I have spent most of my career based in community or in areas that link directly with community pharmacy. I have experience of working at local, regional, and national levels and I am keen to utilise the knowledge, skills, and passion I have for community pharmacy to ensure that the profession and the professionals, specifically in community, are represented and given the support and advice they need in these changing and challenging times.
Ekaitz Unanue (Community Pharmacist, Scarborough, North Yorkshire)
I have been a community pharmacist for the last 17 years and recently I have been particularly interested in pharmacy regulation, I wanted to become involved with the PDA because I believe the PDA protects our interest as a profession in a much better way than other bodies and providers.
Jayesh Ladva (Community Pharmacist, North West England)
I have worked in pharmacy for over 15 years, gaining experience from hospital, community, supermarket, and pharmacy automation. Being part of the first PDA Union Network in place at Boots, I represent the views of circa 7,000 pharmacists and pre-registration trainees employed at the company. As part of my role, I hold a seat on the Joint Consultative Committee, and act as the health and safety representative, as well as the grievance and disciplinary officer, helping individual PDA Union members resolve disputes at work.
Having been involved with the PDA since I was a student, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to work closely with the union and be in a position where I can influence, engage and support pharmacists.
Louise Hemmings (Hospital Pharmacist, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust)
I am an advanced clinical pharmacist who specialises in HIV and I am also a senior clinical diploma tutor, overseeing the education training of the junior pharmacist cohort at my trust. I have been a member of the PDA Union and a committee member since I qualified. I have always wanted to represent myself and my fellow colleagues so that our voices can be heard and changes can be made for the better. There always seems to be a focus on community pharmacy, but I want to ensure that the hospital pharmacists are being represented as there are a number of unique issues within our sector that need to be addressed. In particular, the fact that our own union is not recognised universally across all trusts.
MATTHEW TENNYSON (LOCUM PHARMACIST, Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire )
I wanted to be involved with the PDA as they helped me with an employment issue and defended me. I went to the PDA conference and learned more about what they do and understand how important the work they do is. I started a law degree in September 2020 and passed my first two modules. This summer I will be halfway through the course. I will continue my learning and help other healthcare professionals in the way that I was helped by Richard.
Nahim Khan (Primary Care, Community and Academia Pharmacist, North)
I have worked in all the major sectors of pharmacy, including hospital (both general and mental health) and industry. My past experience also includes being a full-time community locum. I currently work in GP practice, community pharmacy, and academia.
I’m interested in improving the lives of pharmacists and my experience puts me in a unique position to understand the challenges faced by pharmacists. I have been with the PDA since I was a pre-registration pharmacist. Since then, I have seen the PDA look after the interests of pharmacists. I became a PDA Rep as I wanted to represent others and bring their voice to the union. As an academic, I wanted to bring my expertise to the northern regional committee.
Wesley Artist (Hospital Pharmacist, North west)
After being an active student member of the PDA and BPSA, since graduating I have continued to support pharmacists, particularly in the hospital sector, through my work with the PDA Union. I’m now an independent prescriber and the clinical trials lead pharmacist in an NHS tertiary care oncology centre in the north west of England.
Being elected to represent and support pharmacists in the union gives me great satisfaction and motivates me to keep fighting for individuals and the profession to continually develop into new and exciting roles, particularly where my passion lies in the hospital sector.
Get in touch
The North Regional Committee meets regularly to discuss pharmacy within the region. They would like to hear your views on pharmacy, and you can get in touch by emailing north@pda-union.org with insights and comments on general issues. Individual concerns should be directed to the PDA Member Support Centre for advice.