una o’farrell (LOCUM pharmacist, northern Ireland)
I have worked exclusively as a locum throughout Northern Ireland, and I have experience in a broad spectrum of practice in the community. I have been a Pharmacy Lead in the Causeway integrated care partnership and through this gained an understanding of where pharmacy sits with the wider health landscape.
Since becoming the PDA National Officer for Northern Ireland, I support the Regional Committee and have had insight into the issues affecting both hospital and GP Federation pharmacists. In this post, I am able to nurture my commitment to motivate pharmacists to take part in discussions relating to issues that affect them, whilst taking steps towards creating a unionised workforce that’s in line with other healthcare professions.
I am also a Board Member of The Pharmacy Forum NI, and now frequently work in private practice in central London as well as in NI.
The PDA is affiliated with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). If you are a member in Northern Ireland who would like to get more involved in PDA activity, please contact me.
Andrew Cheung (Hospital Pharmacist, Acute Care at Home, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast Trust)
I have been qualified as a pharmacist for 6 years, but have worked in pharmacy for almost 10. Before transferring to the Hospital Pharmacy sector two years ago I managed a busy Community Pharmacy in the city centre and it was at that time that I joined the PDA Union. Having worked my way through the ranks from Voluntary Pharmacy Student to Shop Assistant to Pharmacy Assistant to Second Pharmacist and then to Pharmacy Manager, I appreciate and can recognise the often complex and difficult situations that our colleagues face day to day – hence my involvement in the PDA Union to help support and shape our ever-changing profession for the better. Currently, I am focused on helping to improve the Hospital Pharmacy work environment in being more inclusive and culturally aware.
Catriona O’Neill (Primary Care Pharmacist, Belfast)
Since qualifying as a pharmacist in 2013, I have gained experience of working across both secondary and primary care interfaces, most recently working as an independent pharmacist prescriber in general practice.
I have been a member of the PDA since graduating and have seen first-hand the excellent work the PDA has achieved in representing the viewpoints of pharmacists. Given the increased number of pharmacists now working in primary care it places me in an ideal position to ensure my profession is well supported and represented.
Chand Kausar (Locum Pharmacist, Greater Glasgow, Clyde and Lanarkshire)
I am a Locum pharmacist in community pharmacy and have been for the last 13 years. I have also been a member of the PDA since the beginning of my career and have been involved with the regional committee for over 3 years. It was important for me to be a part of the PDA Union because they represent pharmacy and pharmacists from our perspective, and I believe this is imperative for our collective growth as a profession. Since being on the committee, I have learned a lot about the trade union movement and attended many conferences. I continue to learn how to be a voice of change for pharmacists.
Emma Richmond (Community Locum, Edinburgh)
I am a community locum pharmacist with many years of experience with a background in ethics. I became involved with the PDA Union to help to protect and defend pharmacists against injustice and to promote the profession to the public.
Gordon Finlayson (Community Pharmacist, N.E. Scotland)
I am a pharmacist with over 30 years of experience in the community sector. I have had various roles over the years from store manager to locum. I have also been a pre-reg (trainee) tutor. Currently, I am a relief pharmacist for Boots, working in Angus. I am a trained Union Rep and I am chair of the PDA Reps Network in Boots. I spend most of my working week representing the views of members, providing advice and giving support. I got involved with the PDA Union because I wanted to be part of an organisation that puts pharmacists first. It is a great honour to be able to help pharmacists when they need assistance, whether that is an employment or professional issue.
Iain Speirits (Cardiology Pharmacist, Glasgow)
Since qualifying as a pharmacist in 2002, I have spent the majority of my career in general practice as a prescribing support pharmacist. For the last decade, I have divided my working time between primary care and cardiology. I now focus on the latter, undertaking outpatient clinics for patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure. I have acted as DPP to several pharmacists, as they complete their independent prescribing qualification.
I am privileged to Chair the PDA Union Regional Committee for Scotland. I do so to ensure that individual pharmacists’ voices are heard and represented. Our profession is evolving rapidly; it is critical that the perspective of pharmacists who are providing these enhanced services helps to shape it. This improves professional satisfaction and so delivers a higher standard of patient care.
Laura Kearney (General Practice Pharmacist, Northern Ireland)
I have worked in Primary care for 4 years as a General Practice Pharmacist and for about 14 years before that as a Community Pharmacist. I am passionate about promoting pharmacy as a profession and in particular in Primary Care where we are fairly new to the team
Leon O’Hagan (Locum Pharmacist, Northern Ireland)
I have been a qualified pharmacist since 2003 and joined the PDA Union while I was working in England in 2009. Having seen first-hand the excellent work the PDA do for pharmacists, I felt compelled to assist in any way I could, and it was an easy decision for me to volunteer any free time for the PDA Union.
I believe a strong union empowers pharmacists to express their skills and professionalism to the benefit of their patients and I’m excited to be working with colleagues in Northern Ireland to represent and support pharmacists locally.
OLIVER KEARNEY (COMMUNITY PHARMACIST – BANBRIDGE, CO DOWN)
After becoming registered in 2000 in England, my career path has covered much of northwest England in pharmacist support and store manager roles. I was an LPC member in Liverpool and Trafford/Salford LPC as well as part of the community pharmacist steering group with the Salford Lung Study.
I’m a passionate community pharmacist who is keen to further the role of my fellow professionals in today’s modern healthcare environment as we deal with unprecedented change applying our skills and leadership as only pharmacists do.
PAUL FLYNN (LOCUM PHARMACIST, SCOTLAND)
I have been involved with the PDA for 4 years now – firstly as a Regional Representative in Boots and then as an employee in December 2021 as the PDA’s first National Officer for Scotland. I also work as a locum community pharmacist across Scotland.
I feel privileged to be able to work for the PDA, the National Officer role provides me with numerous opportunities to highlight the crucial contributions my fellow pharmacist professionals make to patients and carers throughout the country. I also get to defend them when needed and can provide a raft of life-changing experiences and training through our affiliation with the STUC and through it the wider Trade Union movement.
I am pleased to help assist the Scottish Regional Committee in contributing to the work of the PDA and to help ensure that the work of the PDA remains relevant for all pharmacists employed in Scotland.
get in touch
The Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Committee meets regularly to discuss pharmacy within the region. They would like to hear your views on pharmacy, and you can get in touch by emailing scotland@pda-union.org or ni@pda-union.org with insights and comments on general issues. Individual concerns should be directed to the PDA Member Support Centre for advice.