In this issue:

LloydsPharmacy and the PDA Union reach recognition agreement for pharmacists
PDA launches “A Thousand Little Ships” approach to Covid-19 vaccinations
PDA releases 2020 patient safety survey results
PDA urges locums to ensure they are ready for the roll-out of IR35 into the private sector
Only a trade union can enable pharmacists to negotiate at work
Funding announced to support students experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic
Latest News
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LloydsPharmacy and the PDA Union reach recognition agreement for pharmacists

Earlier this month, the PDA Union and LloydsPharmacy reached a voluntary trade union recognition agreement. This means that pharmacists at LloydsPharmacy will in future be able to negotiate over certain terms and conditions and be consulted on matters which impact their employment, through the PDA Union.

The recognition agreement comes after constructive talks between the two parties about how best to give the company’s c.2,600 pharmacists, a collective voice at work.

The recognition agreement means some pharmacists at the company will become trained PDA representatives and will represent and support colleagues in employment matters and be consulted and informed about significant challenges and opportunities faced by the business.

PDA launches “A Thousand Little Ships” approach to Covid-19 vaccinations

Earlier this month, the PDA launched “A Thousand Little Ships”, a proposal to maximise the NHS vaccination capacity when demand dramatically increases once the second doses begin.

Over 10 million people have received their first Covid-19 vaccination as part of the national programme, this has been achieved through a herculean effort by the NHS, and a repurposing of the workforce and physical spaces to meet the challenging deadline of all priority groups being vaccinated by mid-February in the race against the virus.

The PDA is urging the government and NHS to integrate over 13,500 community pharmacies into the vaccination programme to ensure that there is capacity in the system when more groups are needing to be vaccinated as prioritised by the JCVI.

PDA releases 2020 patient safety survey results

Once again, the patient safety survey has thrown into the spotlight the working conditions faced by pharmacists.

Feedback from members was instrumental in the development of the Safer Pharmacies Charter in 2017 and since the charter was launched, the PDA surveys have monitored safety against the charter standards.

The 2020 patient safety survey received 597 responses in total from across the sector as can be seen in this infographic.

PDA urges locums to ensure they are ready for the roll-out of IR35 into the private sector

With under two months remaining until HMRC extends the IR35 arrangements into the private sector on 6 April 2021, the PDA is highlighting to locums that they should ensure they have the right tax and business arrangements in place.

Only a trade union can enable pharmacists to negotiate at work

Last week, as part of “HeartUnions Week”, the PDA highlighted the way we are enabling pharmacists across the UK to improve their working lives. This is being done by securing recognition to negotiate with the employer on conditions of employment and by consulting on significant change, on training and on health and safety issues.

Funding announced to support students experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic

The PDA welcomes news of government funding being introduced across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to help students who have been impacted financially by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the PDA highlights the need for further funding to support access to mental health and well-being services for all young people.

Below is a summary of some of the other key news stories that have been published on the PDA website recently:

11/02/21 – A pharmacy journey on hold: A member’s thoughts on being ineligible for provisional registration

10/02/21 – PDA welcomes outcome of Government pensions consultation

08/02/21 – LloydsPharmacy and the PDA Union issue joint statement on union recognition

08/02/21 – Show love for your union this HeartUnions Week (8-14 February 2021)

04/02/21 – Joint statement – Boots & the PDA Union

03/02/21 – New PDA Regional Official for members in Northern Ireland

30/01/21 – Coroner highlights the importance of robust monitoring of patients taking hazardous medicines

29/01/21 – The PDA launches web portal with the NHS in England which helps to ensure that locums do not miss out on their own prioritised Covid-19 vaccination

Take advantage of new Health & Wellbeing offers and resources with PDA Plus

We all know that the start of the year can be hard after the festive season, both financially and mentally, as well as physically after indulging in December. However, these first months of 2021 will be different, as normal life will not resume due to our on-going regional lockdowns.

Log in to your PDA Plus account today and start enjoying content from a new Health and Wellbeing Hub that can offer you some support and advice. Also, take advantage of a variety of health and wellbeing offers.