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Insight Online – June 2021

In this issue, we encourage you to help save community pharmacies in England. Also, find out how PDA membership has grown by more than 15% in the last two years, and read our latest Member Voice article: 'Working as a pharmacist with OCD'.

Mon 28th June 2021 The PDA

In this issue:

  • Help save community pharmacy in England
  • PDA membership numbers have increased by over 15% in two years
  • Find out what the PDA is up to at the Pharmacy Show and CPC!
  • Working as a pharmacist with OCD
  • PDA introduces Eco friendly membership cards
  • PDA membership includes access to a 24-hour counselling helpline
  • PDA members help pre-regs prepare for the July 2021 assessment
  • Stop “Fire and rehire”
  • Latest News
  • Are you taking advantage of your PDA Plus benefits?

Help save community pharmacy in England 

The PDA supports the 38 Degrees petition, created by the NPA, that calls on the Westminster government to recompense pharmacies for the extra costs they have incurred by staying open to provide health services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As of 2 pm today, the petition has over 95,000 signatures but needs 100,000 signatures to make sure politicians and the general public know about this issue. To sign the petition, click here.

READ MORE

PDA membership figures have increased by over 15% in two years

Even more pharmacists have joined the PDA and a report to the PDA Union annual meeting last week confirmed numbers are now at a new record high. The PDA is the largest UK pharmacists’ membership organisation by a significant measure.

The latest figures are for the year ending 31 March 2021 and the audited data confirms that membership is now at the highest-ever figure of 32,582 members.

READ MORE

Find out what the PDA is up to at the Pharmacy Show and CPC! 

This year, the PDA will be running two sessions at both the Pharmacy Show and The Clinical Pharmacy Congress (CPC). CPC will be taking place at ExCeL London on 24 – 25 September 2021 and the Pharmacy Show will be taking place at NEC Birmingham on 17 – 18 October 2021.

CPC is the largest gathering for the clinical pharmacy profession in the UK. Over two days, you can create a bespoke programme of content to reflect your unique training needs, meet face-to-face with vendors to find products and services that enable you brilliant patient care, and catch-up with like-minded peers, and colleagues. If you work in clinical pharmacy or have an interest in the sector – CPC is the education event for you.

The Pharmacy Show takes place over two days at the NEC in Birmingham and is a major gathering for pharmacy professionals. The show is made up of education and networking opportunities. Access all eight theatres, covering a huge range of topics and discussions around current issues to move you forwards in your career.

For more information and to secure your place at these upcoming shows, click below.

READ MORE

Working as a pharmacist with OCD

In our latest member voice article, to mark Men’s Health Week (MHW), a male PDA Ability Network member shares his experience of working as a pharmacist with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), and highlights what adjustments employers can put in place to support employees with this mental health condition.

READ MORE

PDA introduces Eco friendly membership cards

The PDA is delighted to share that it has partnered with the UK’s leading manufacturer of printed supplies to introduce Eco friendly membership cards.

With climate change issues high on the government agendas, the PDA is eager to play its part in supporting the carbon footprint.

Read more

PDA membership includes access to a 24-hour counselling helpline

Experienced counsellors are available to discuss any issue and offer completely confidential support and advice at any time.

Counsellors can help PDA members to cope with stress, anxiety, relationships breakdown and bereavement. They can also provide information about relevant professional or voluntary bodies which offer practical help and support.

PDA members can call 0333 000 2082 for free counselling assistance.

Read more

PDA members help pre-regs prepare for the July 2021 assessment 

Earlier this month, three PDA members were guest speakers at an online PDA event that helped to support over sixty pre-regs due to sit the July assessment.

The session, held exclusively for PDA members, saw Johnny Blatchford, Samuel Opoku and Abby Clarke share their experience of sitting the first online assessment in March 2021.

Read more

Stop “Fire and rehire”

The PDA supports a private member’s bill which had its first reading in Parliament earlier this month and hopes to outlaw the practice of “Fire and rehire” which is increasingly being used by employers to cut employee benefits.

In many other countries this is often against the law, but it can be lawful in the UK in some circumstances.

Read more

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

25/06/2021 – Applications are now open for the Welsh Pharmacy Awards 2021

22/06/2021 – PDA members favour independent scrutiny of the pharmacy regulator on their EDI strategy

21/06/2021 – An open letter to the national media about an MP practicing as a pharmacist

18/06/2021 – Registrant wins landmark discrimination case against healthcare regulator in the Employment Tribunal 

17/06/2021 – Boots pharmacists prepare for 2021 pay talks

15/06/21 – Cervical Screening Awareness Week: 14 – 20 June 2021

14/06/2021 – PDA IN THE NEWS: Tackling race inequality

14/06/2021 – Men’s Mental Health Week: 14 – 20 June 2021

09/06/2021 – Agreement reached on pay increase for members working for NHS Scotland

08/06/2021 – PDA and NAWP respond to the DHSC’s call for evidence on a strategy for women’s health

04/06/2021 – Employers’ report into pharmacy workforce challenges does not address their basic responsibilities  

02/06/2021 – ACT NOW: Important information for locums in Wales eligible to claim NHS bonus payment

02/06/2021 – PDA publish salary ready reckoner for Boots pharmacists

01/06/2021 – PDA hosts ‘Get Mentally Prepared’ for the exams workshop with Pharmacist Support

READ MORE

Are you taking advantage of your PDA Plus benefits?

As a PDA member, you have access to a wide range of PDA Plus offers that save you money on your everyday spending. From grocery shopping and days out to treating yourself to a new phone or car, PDA Plus has an exclusive offer for you.

One of these key deals is to get 3 years of Totum pro membership for the price of 2. This saves you £10 off the price of membership, plus membership gives you great savings on 350 UK brands online and in-store such as 10% off at the Co-op, up to 30% off at your favourite restaurants, and more!

LOG IN TO YOUR PDA PLUS ACCOUNT TODAY
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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.

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