The PDA has 7000 members working in the NHS and over 40 workplace reps working in NHS Trusts.
What is the role of an NHS representative?
PDA Reps play an important role in representing and promoting the PDA at work. With larger groups of PDA members in hospitals and other parts of the NHS, they can support member meetings about issues of concern, such as on-call rotas as well as continuing to promote PDA membership.
The PDA is now part of the national Staffside Council which means that the PDA has a seat around the table both nationally and at Staff Partnership meetings (sometimes known as JNCCs) locally. These meetings are where recognised unions meet with senior management to discuss the issues of concern. Having a seat around the table gives pharmacists a voice, and representatives are entitled to paid time off to do this work.
What are the rights of an NHS representative?
As a PDA NHS Rep, you have certain rights under employment law.
Trade union recognition is a formal agreement with an employer for a particular union to undertake collective bargaining on behalf of that employer’s staff. Collective bargaining typically covers terms and conditions of employment (pay, hours, and holidays), discipline and grievance matters, health and safety, allocation of work, and redundancy. It often extends to cover professional development and change management.
The PDA has recognition agreements with a variety of employers including in some hospitals. If the PDA is recognised by your employer, you are entitled to reasonable paid time off as is necessary to carry out your role, to attend appropriate training with your union and to attend meetings with your employer as well as PDA Union meetings.
Training support and networking
As a PDA Rep, we want you to feel confident and supported in your new role.
We provide opportunities for all our reps to develop skills and knowledge and to gain personal satisfaction through helping and supporting others and sharing your profession for the future.
The PDA provides many opportunities for our reps to develop their knowledge and skills:
- Induction activities
- Training opportunities through the PDA education team and GFTU
- Training and events for reps with the PDA and external stakeholders (face-to-face and online)
- Links with the PDA Organiser who leads on the NHS for support
- 1-2-1 mentoring support for your rep role with a member of the PDA Organising & Engagement Team
- Space for you to network, share and support each other through the NHS Reps Network.
- Opportunities to join other PDA networks
- Places for reps at the PDA National Conference.
Find out more about the PDA’s work to support pharmacists working for NHS employers here.
If you would like to become a PDA NHS Rep or for more information, please complete the below form.
Not yet a PDA member?
If you or any of your colleagues are not yet members of the PDA, you can join the PDA today.
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.