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 – October 2020

Insight Online – October 2020

Welcome to the latest issue of Insight Online - the regular mailing that keeps you up-to-date on PDA news and events, as well as issues that may affect you at work.

Mon 19th October 2020 The PDA

In this issue:

  • COVID-19 safety measures must be in place in community pharmacy before pausing Test and Trace app
  • NAWP produces factsheet to mark World Menopause Day 2020
  • Prov-Regs and resitters told to prepare for exam sometime between January and March 2021
  • Overcoming discrimination in the pharmacy sector
  • BAME Network requests nominations for upcoming elections
  • COVID-19 security for university students
  • Trade unions want to do even more for the self-employed
  • Latest News
  • PDA exclusive member offer

COVID-19 safety measures must be in place in community pharmacy before pausing Test and Trace app

The PDA is highlighting differences in COVID-19 security in pharmacy practice across the NHS and advising employee and locum pharmacists to only pause their Test and Trace apps in a community pharmacy setting if a satisfactory COVID-19 risk assessment has been completed and adequate PPE measures are in place for the staff and premises.The NHS Test and Trace app uses low energy Bluetooth to identify nearby mobile phones using the same app to identify anyone who has spent more than 15 minutes at less than 2 metres proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The app sends a warning telling the person to self-isolate to reduce the risk of spreading the virus while they may be infected but still asymptomatic.

READ MORE

NAWP produces factsheet to mark World Menopause Day 2020

World Menopause Day is held every year on 18th October to raise awareness of the menopause and what support is available for improving women’s health and wellbeing. Pharmacists should be aware that it is not just their patients that experience the menopause, it is an issue in the workplace too.As around 50% of the world’s population consists of women, even if you will not experience the menopause yourself, you will have female colleagues who will do so at some point in their lives.

To coincide with World Menopause Day 2020, the National Association of Women Pharmacists (NAWP) have produced a factsheet about menopause at work.

Click below to learn more and download the factsheet.

READ MORE

Prov-regs and resitters told to prepare for exam sometime between January and March 2021

The GPhC has issued an announcement regarding their online assessment for those who were due to take the 2020 pre-reg exam.

The online assessment will be held on a date in the first quarter of 2021, while avoiding the first two weeks of January. This means the exam will be held sometime between Monday 18 January and Wednesday 31 March 2021. Provisionally registered pharmacists and pre-reg resitters, who have waited many months for a date are now a step closer to clarity on the timing of a critical point in their career.

The PDA is calling on employers of provisionally registered pharmacists, and any resitters who are working in other pharmacy roles, to give them the time and support they need to prepare for the assessment.

READ MORE

Overcoming discrimination in the pharmacy sector

In our latest member voice article, Nav Bhogal, a pharmacist and South East Regional PDA Union Rep shares his story of how discrimination affected his pharmacy journey.

My realisation of ‘not fitting in’ started at the end of my 3rd year when I had to attend selection centres and interviews. I failed to secure any job placements in the first round. This was very disheartening as I interviewed well, I was predicted to get good grades and I was fluent in English. I asked for feedback on how I could improve my opportunities and was shocked by the comment I received which I will never forget. I was specifically informed, “You look different and as such you would struggle to fit into most teams.”

Read more

BAME Network requests nominations for upcoming elections

We are pleased to announce that the PDA BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Pharmacists’ Network has grown substantially over the last few months. In the coming weeks, we will be running an election for BAME officers to lead the network.

Read more

COVID-19 security for university students

PDA student members and reps have been sharing their challenges and experiences of the new university term as we all face a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students beginning MPharm courses were expecting some ‘face to face’ teaching and are finding lectures are swiftly moving online and timetables are being adjusted.

Read more

Trade unions want to do even more for the self-employed

Last Friday, PDA Director, Paul Day featured on an expert panel at a Unions21 webinar discussing how trade unions can better support self-employed members.

Unions 21 is a forum for unions to explore shared challenges by working collaboratively to develop practical projects and ideas which build tomorrow’s union leadership and organisation. The forum brings together unions from across the public and private sector to learn from each other.

Read more

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

16/10/20 – PDA attend the 9th annual congress of EPhEU

13/10/20 – PDA respond to closure of Union Learning Fund

09/10/20 – Confusing message on union recognition issued by Lloyds does not address data breaches

07/10/20 – Boots pay claim update

07/10/20 – Joint statement – Boots & the PDA Union

07/10/20 – PDA receives reports of prov-regs being blocked from acting as bank pharmacists

06/10/20 – PDA Union response to Rowlands announcement

05/10/20 – Joint National Statement of Principles on Inclusive Pharmacy Professional Practice

02/10/20 – NAWP takes part in the European Women Pharmacists Meeting 2020

01/10/20 – Celebrating Black History Month 2020

LEARN MORE
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube

 

 

 

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)