In this issue:

PDA launches ‘Discrimination in the Workplace’ guide
Discrimination: Know your rights and seek advice and support from the PDA
PDA supports citizen group petition to save community pharmacies from closure
PDA Reps Network in Boots deliver special Christmas messages
Let’s change the public perception of pharmacists
Welsh Pharmacy Awards 2020 winners revealed
How employers can support women pharmacists during Coronavirus pandemic
PDA calls on employers to be flexible in supporting pharmacists to have vaccination
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PDA launches ‘Discrimination in the Workplace’ guide

We all deserve to be treated fairly at work and be in an environment where we can feel respected, valued, and make the most of our hard work and talents. Unfortunately, many working people in the UK still face prejudice and discrimination in the workplace.

In response to enquiries from PDA members, we have developed a discrimination guide to give pharmacists a general overview of their rights at work.

This guide offers a general overview of your rights but should not be taken as legal or financial advice. Discrimination law is complex, and every case is different. Contact the PDA for further detailed information.

In our latest member voice article, Neera Goel, a PCN Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist, Revalidation Reviewer for the GPhC, and PDA Regional Committee Member (Wales and West of England), shares her experience of discrimination in the workplace and the importance of knowing your rights and what support is available to you from the PDA.

“Throughout my career, I have encountered discrimination in many forms. People would say things such as ‘are you expecting to become pregnant anytime soon’ when I applied for full-time employment. I also experienced sex discrimination when my male colleagues were offered more sociable hours than me.”

PDA supports citizen group petition to save community pharmacies from closure

The PDA has added their support to a petition organised by grassroots campaigning organisation, 38 Degrees, that calls on the Westminster government to recompense pharmacies for the extra costs they have incurred by staying open to provide health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pharmacists will know that during the pandemic, especially during the first lockdown when GP practices and hospitals restricted patient access, community pharmacies worked tirelessly to ensure that vital services were provided for the communities they are based in. Pharmacists went way beyond their normal duties, so as to ensure continued public access to primary care services and often, whilst working in some extraordinarily challenging conditions. Many additional costs were incurred, such as purchasing PPE, making the pharmacies Covid secure, taking on extra staff at a time when many of their regular staff members were ill due to the Covid pandemic and by providing vital additional Covid related services such as delivering medicines to the homes of patients who were shielding.

PDA Reps Network in Boots deliver special Christmas messages

The PDA Reps Network in Boots would like to share the benefits of joining the PDA and the successes that they have achieved for members in 2020. They would also like to spread some Christmas cheer by wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

WATCH THE CHRISTMAS VIDEOS HERE

Let’s change the public perception of pharmacists

In this member voice article, pre-registration hospital pharmacist Holli Brown, discusses the current perception of pharmacists and the need for greater public awareness of the profession. Also, find out what advice Holli has for future pre-regs.

“We’ve been faced with a difficult year with COVID-19, so I know my training programme hasn’t been exactly as it would have been, however, being flexible is what being a pharmacist is all about.”

Welsh Pharmacy Awards 2020 winners revealed

The Welsh Pharmacy Awards took place virtually earlier this month to pay tribute to a number of the sector’s notable trailblazers, and the positive impact they have forged for the benefit of their patients and peers.

The PDA was delighted to once again sponsor the Student Leadership category of the awards. This year, the winner of the student award was Dafydd Rizzo. Congratulations to Dafydd and well done to all of the finalists.

How employers can support women pharmacists during the Coronavirus pandemic

Daniela Rusalim, the vice-president of the National Association of Women Pharmacists (NAWP) argues that although women represent around two-thirds of the UK’s pharmacy workforce, they are not well represented in leadership roles.

The disproportionate effect of the coronavirus pandemic on women has been highlighted in a number of reports issued by national and international organisations…

PDA calls on employers to be flexible in supporting pharmacists to have vaccination

As they work on the front line in this pandemic, pharmacists and other health professionals are being prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccine programme. The PDA is proactively asking employers to do all they can to facilitate that process for their employees.