COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: If, in addition to indemnity for your main employment, you would like cover for delivering COVID-19 Vaccinations please apply for our standalone extension Apply Today

Home  »   Latest NewsInsight   »   Insight Online – December 2022

Insight Online – December 2022

Welcome to the latest issue of Insight Online. This month we are asking members to confirm how strongly they feel about possible strike action and are encouraging pharmacists to take part in the annual Safer Pharmacies Survey. Also, learn about an exclusive member benefit this holiday season.

Tue 20th December 2022 The PDA

In this issue:

  • PDA asks members to confirm their strength of feeling about possible strike action over NHS pay
  • PDA encourages pharmacists to take part in the 2022 Safer Pharmacies Survey
  • PDA is supporting members impacted by the Integrated Care Systems
  • PDA members concerned about regulator fees and the cost of living crisis
  • PDA shares letter from Chief Pharmaceutical Officer about Group A streptococcus and antibiotic supply
  • FIP asks PDA to consider the RPS application to join
  • Latest news
  • National Executive Committee elections 2023
  • Enjoy a range of PDA Plus benefits!

PDA asks members to confirm their strength of feeling about possible strike action over NHS pay

We are undertaking an additional survey of pharmacists employed in the NHS, before deciding if we will hold our first-ever ballot for industrial action.

We have more than 7,000 NHS-employed pharmacists in membership and we are actively considering balloting those members regarding strike action. However, the experience of some other unions has shown that the government’s restrictive rules, designed to make it difficult for working people to lawfully take industrial action, means trade unions should test members’ strength of feeling before balloting.

Unlike almost every other part of modern society, the law relating to trade union ballots only allows postal voting. The government refuses to allow an electronic voting option, which is widely recognised as one way that would increase participation. Electronic voting would also be less expensive and better for the environment.

LEARN MORE

PDA encourages pharmacists to take part in the 2022 Safer Pharmacies Survey

We have again launched our annual Safer Pharmacies Survey for the seventh year running and are encouraging pharmacists to take part. The survey is based on the seven commitments outlined in the PDA’s Safer Pharmacies Charter.

The aim of our Safer Pharmacies Survey is to ask pharmacists across all areas of practice about their experiences of health and safety in their workplace. PDA members played a huge role in developing the PDA’s Safer Pharmacies Charter and since its launch, annual surveys have examined responses based on the charter’s seven commitments.

Following the results of the 2021 Safer Pharmacies Survey, which showed an almost universal worsening in working conditions, we are now urging all pharmacists to take part in the 2022 survey. The results of the 2022 survey will help us to see if conditions have improved or not and understand the current working environment for pharmacists. The results of the survey could really help to change things for the better.

LEARN MORE

PDA is supporting members impacted by the Integrated Care Systems

We are supporting pharmacists in England whose employment has been impacted by the creation of new NHS structures.

As a result of the 2022 Health and Care Act, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) were established in England, and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were closed on 1 July 2022. Each of the ICSs includes two key parts: an Integrated Care Board (ICB) and an Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).

The ICB is the statutory organisation bringing the NHS together locally. It’s responsible for developing a plan for meeting the health needs of the population, managing the local NHS budget, and arranging the provision of most health services within the ICS area. The ICB took over local commissioning responsibilities from the CCGs in the area and some direct commissioning that was previously undertaken by NHS England. The aim of the ICB is to improve health outcomes and to address inequalities and outcomes, experience, and access.

LEARN MORE

PDA members concerned about regulator fees and the cost of living crisis

We recently conducted a survey of members working in Northern Ireland. The aim of the survey was to capture their views on their professional fees in response to trends in the concerns that members had raised.

The survey included indication questions regarding whether members found registration fees too high or low and how they felt the fees compared to other healthcare professions. In light of member feedback around increased living costs and the challenges of significant one-off payments, it also included a question on whether they would prefer to pay in installments, if this was to be offered as an option.

Learn more

PDA shares letter from Chief Pharmaceutical Officer about Group A streptococcus and antibiotic supply

We are sharing an NHS England communication regarding Group A streptococcus and antibiotic supply to help update members working in community pharmacy.

After several days of significant public concern and comment by some community pharmacists, discussion in the media, and statements from the Prime Minister about the supply of antibiotics, NHS England’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has published a letter updating pharmacists. The letter is being shared on our website to help the message reach frontline pharmacists.

Learn more

FIP asks PDA to consider the RPS application to join

As an existing UK member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), we have been asked about an application to join FIP received from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).

FIP is the global body representing the interests of over four million pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmaceutical scientists, and pharmacy educators. FIP is a non-governmental organisation that represents the interests of pharmacists at a global level. They are recognised and work closely with UNESCO, World Health Professions Alliance, and the WHO Regional Pharmaceutical forums.

Learn more

Below is a summary of some of the other key news stories that have been published on our website recently:

16/12/22 – Ability Newsletter – December 2022

15/12/22 – Reasonable adjustments, know your rights

14/12/22 – LGBT+ Pharmacists’ Network Newsletter – December 2022

13/12/22 – “I want women’s voices in pharmacy to be heard”, interview with NAWP President, Ayah Abbass

10/12/22 – PDA marks Human Rights Day 2022

9/12/22 – Members represent the PDA at Scotland’s largest conference of women trade unionists

9/12/22 – Make sure you have the right PDA membership following the November 2022 assessment

7/12/22 – A warning before starting a new role

6/12/22 – Joint Statement from LloydsPharmacy and PDA Union

5/12/22 – An award-winning pharmacy student’s commitment to helping other students

3/12/22 – A tiny fish in a massive pond: foundation training at 13 weeks

2/12/22 –  Appeals process for candidates that sat the registration assessment in November 2022

1/12/22 – PDA Regional Committees meet to consider members’ latest concerns in pharmacy

LEARN MORE

National Executive Committee elections 2023

Nominations open today (Tuesday 20 December) for candidates to form the National Executive Committee for the PDA Union for the period 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2028.

Under trade union law all ten seats on the PDA Union’s governing body are up for election in 2023, with successful candidates serving terms of five years. Elections will therefore be held for the following posts:

  • General Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Assistant General Secretary (Strategic)
  • Assistant General Secretary (Tactical)
  • Assistant General Secretary (Administration & Membership)
  • Assistant General Secretary (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
  • NEC member – Scotland & Northern Ireland Region
  • NEC member – Wales and West England Region
  • NEC member – North Region
  • NEC member – South-East Region
LEARN MORE

Enjoy a range of PDA Plus benefits!

Did you know that as a PDA member, you can take advantage of exclusive PDA Plus offers and discounts? With PDA Plus you can get a special gift for a family member or friend this holiday season, and you can even treat yourself to a new car! PDA Plus has exclusive offers for you.

With PDA Plus you can get up to 10% off Apple products. This includes the new 27-inch iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple accessories, along with access to Apple’s experts to help set up your product. This benefit includes free delivery on orders over £40, and you can save even more with the Apple recycling program, where you can claim a gift card for recycling certain products.

LOG IN TO YOUR PDA PLUS ACCOUNT TODAY

 

 

 

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

Cookie Use

This website uses cookies to help us provide the best user experience. If you continue browsing you are giving your consent to our use of cookies.

General Guidance Resources Surveys PDA Campaigns Regulations Locums Indemnity Arrangements Pre-Regs & Students FAQs Coronavirus (COVID-19)