COMMUNITY EMPLOYEES
Union representatives across the UK work for a number of different employers including major multiples, supermarkets and independents.
In addition to providing professional indemnity insurance* and legal support in the event of a dispensing error, the PDA continuously helps employees with difficulties over employment issues, unfair dismissal, changes of contracts and problems regarding pensions!
Locum pharmaciSts
Union representatives tackle the issues experienced by locum pharmacists and like the representatives of other areas of practice, refer proposals to the union executive. How do we do it?
The issues discussed may include:
- Locums not being paid
- The conditions locums are expected to work under
- Falling locum rates
- The over-supply of pharmacists
- The inability of locums to tender for the provision of enhanced services
HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES
Hospital representatives work to represent the needs and interests of hospital pharmacists within the union. This may involve tackling issues such as incorrect role banding during NHS restructuring and representatives may become involved in activities such as reviewing the implications for the pharmacy workforce as a result of the Francis report, or developing a tool to assess the working culture in hospitals.
PRIMARY CARE, GP PRactice & SPECIALIST PHARMACISTS
The regional committees have members with considerable experience in providing primary care services in GP surgeries, via Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) as independent service providers, as employees of Primary Care Networks or Health Boards and as specialist service providers in other areas of Pharmacy. They also have extensive cross-sector experience and links with pharmacists in various sectors of the profession.
Issues may include pharmacists undergoing employment changes as part of NHS reforms and working conditions within primary care settings.
*The insurance included with PDA membership is arranged and administered by The Pharmacy Insurance Agency (PIA) Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063).