Below are details of some of the key points that were debated at the third Regional Committee meeting of 2022.
PDA Regional Committees welcomed the work of PDA staff and members around violence and abuse in pharmacies as the increased media attention and BBC Breakfast appearances have raised greater awareness. However, PDA members report that abuse persists in being a significant challenge for community pharmacists. There seem to be various triggers for the abuse, ranging from stock shortages and increased prescription waiting times to patients having difficulty in accessing GP appointments.
PDA members expressed that employers need to take a stronger approach to enforcing zero tolerance of abuse in pharmacy in line with PDA policy. It was reported that some of the larger multiples have been known to reward ‘bad behaviour’ with apologies, gift cards, and free prescription delivery. Regional Committees support the PDA’s position to call on more employers to adopt the PDA’s Safer Pharmacies Charter and recommend that more pharmacies display the PDA’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ posters.
In community pharmacy in Scotland and North England, members reported continued frequent store closures, particularly from multiples. Across all regions and nations, there were shared concerns in the primary care sector around the signing of fit notes, ahead of new legislation being enacted.
Northern Ireland
The Regional Committee in Northern Ireland noted that designated supervisor training is now taking place online and that it is working well.
The PDA Reps Network in Northern Ireland, who work for GP Federations, continue to be active in gathering feedback from members and discussing issues. The PDA has attended meetings with reps and the employers.
Scotland
In addition to emphasising pharmacy closures and the incidents of violence and abuse, the Regional Committee in Scotland considered the challenges of the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in primary care.
North
Regional Committee members in the North drew attention to the increase in vacancies for pharmacists in the hospital and primary care sectors. They examined possible reasons for this, including geographical factors, unappealing adverts, and an increase in portfolio-style working for qualified pharmacists.
South East
Regional Committee members in the South East covered a wide range of workplace issues from across different sectors. They highlighted difficulties around recruitment and retention of pharmacists in community, and ongoing issues locums are facing with regards to rates. In both primary care and hospital, Regional Committee members reported that PDA members are experiencing an increase in workload and workplace stress.
Wales and West
In Wales and the West of England, Regional Committee members commented on issues around being ‘on call’ in the hospital sector. In primary care in England, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) came into legal effect from 1 July 2022 and are partnerships of organisations who plan and pay for healthcare to improve health and reduce inequalities locally. Each ISCs has an Integrated Care Board (ICB) which replace Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). ICBs are the new statutory organisation bringing the NHS together locally to plan and improve the population’s health and establish shared strategic priorities within the NHS. The PDA has supported members who have been impacted by re-organisations and TUPE transfers.
Matters raised by individuals and groups of members which are discussed at Regional level are reported to the National Executive Committee (NEC), where PDA Union policy is set.
PDA members needing support with issues at their workplace should contact the PDA Service Centre, while wider concerns about developments or trends in pharmacy can be shared with the local Regional Committee.
The Regional Committees are part of the PDA’s democratic structure and are formed to represent members’ views.
Get involved
Learn more
- Regional Committees
- Organisational Structure
- PDA highlights ongoing concerns about increasing levels of violence and abuse in community pharmacy
- Community pharmacists speak out against rise in abuse and attacks – BBC News
- Safer Pharmacies Charter
- PDA zero tolerance of abuse in pharmacies posters
- Closures: Health board confirms some pharmacy contractors are not reporting their closures to the NHS
- PDA launches online reporting tool to gather data on pharmacy closures
- Legislation on fit notes enacted
- PDA Reps Network in Northern Ireland
- Locums report being told to reduce agreed shift rates or be cancelled
- It’s Time to Address Stress
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.