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Insight Online – September 2021

In this issue, read about our latest work as part of our longstanding Violence in Pharmacy campaign. Also, we provide an update for those who sat the July 2021 assessment, and we share the new Flu Vaccination Service FAQs for the current season.

Tue 28th September 2021 The PDA

In this issue:

  • NHS bonus payments to pharmacists
  • PDA releases Flu Vaccination Service FAQs
  • PDA calls on community pharmacy employers to match NHS statement on violence
  • Can you ask your MP to stop thousands of patients from facing prescription charges?
  • World Patient Safety Day 2021
  • NHS report reveals that some patients are being oversubscribed medicines 
  • World Pharmacists’ Day 2021
  • Confirmed speakers for the Pharmacy Show
  • Latest News
  • Enjoy your PDA Plus savings this autumn!

NHS bonus payments to pharmacists 

Last week, questions were asked in Westminster Parliament about the government’s position on making a bonus payment to pharmacists in England in recognition of their contribution during the pandemic, as has been the case in the other parts of the UK.

The disappointing response from Jo Churchill, not only keeps England out of step with the other nations but also reflects a mindset which does not distinguish between “pharmacies” and “pharmacists”. We are constantly tackling this worldview, as too often decision-makers do not recognise the critical contribution pharmacists make to the health system beyond community pharmacy.

Scotland update 

In recent discussions between the PDA and government officials in Scotland, it has been confirmed that all payments in relation to the £500 ‘bonus’ to health and social care staff should now have been received by those that met the criteria and submitted a claim.

READ MORE

PDA releases Flu Vaccination Service FAQs

The PDA advice line receives numerous calls from members each season around the provision of the flu service.

We have listed the most common questions together with updates on the current season considering specific changes that we are aware of. Our latest Flu Vaccination Service FAQ document can be downloaded below.

This will be refreshed regularly, however, if specific advice is needed, please contact the PDA support team at enquiries@the-pda.org.

DOWNLOAD THE FAQS HERE

PDA calls on community pharmacy employers

to match NHS statement on violence 

Pharmacists and other staff employed by the NHS have once again received a commitment of their employers’ position on violence at work, however many community pharmacies are yet to make similar statements.

The joint statement recognising that violence and abuse has featured in many NHS workers’ professional lives was published in the weekly NHS England Primary Care Bulletin earlier this month.

 

READ MORE

Can you ask your MP to stop thousands of patients from facing prescription charges?

As a member of the prescription charges coalition, the PDA is encouraging members to request their MP sign a motion that opposes the proposal to introduce prescription charges for those aged between 60 and 66, in England.

Read more

 

World Patient Safety Day 2021

Earlier this month we celebrated World Patient Safety Day 2021 which aims to raise awareness and promote the importance of ensuring safety in healthcare.

This year we took the time to remind pharmacists and pharmacy employers of the Safer Pharmacies Charter which consists of seven commitments to improve safety and care for patients, through better working conditions in UK pharmacy practice.

The Safer Pharmacies Charter was produced by PDA members and defines basic standards to ensure safe practice wherever pharmacists work.

Read more

 

NHS report reveals that some patients are being oversubscribed medicines

A new report from NHS England suggests that some patients are being oversubscribed prescription medicines which could be unnecessary and even harmful.

We support this new focus, but pharmacists must be enabled to deliver pharmaceutical care if the NHS is serious about addressing the issue of overprescribing.

Read more

 

World Pharmacists’ Day 2021

Last Saturday was World Pharmacists’ Day, where pharmacists are celebrated for their hard work and dedication to the profession.

To mark the day, our charity partner Pharmacist Support launched the #ACTNow wellbeing campaign. We encourage members to sign up to the 5-week campaign where they will receive exclusive and dedicated wellbeing and mental health guidance and resources.

Read more

 

Confirmed speakers for the Pharmacy Show

We are pleased to announce that the speakers for the Pharmacy Show have been confirmed!

This year, we will be running two panel sessions at the Pharmacy Show.

Delivering race equality in PharmacyBusiness Theatre, Sunday 17 October, 1.25 pm – 1.55 pm

Confirmed speakers:

  • Chair – Bharat Nathwani, Policy Officer at the PDA
  • Taiwo Owatemi MP, Labour Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
  • Thorrun Govind, Chair of the English Pharmacy Board
  • Uzo Ibechukwu, Chief Pharmacist at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Women in PharmacyBusiness Theatre, Monday 18 October, 1.25 pm – 1.55 pm 

Confirmed speakers:

  • Chair – Claire Ward, Director of Public Affairs, PDA
  • Shikha Rishi, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist
  • Yogita Dawda, Clinical Lead for Mental Health Pharmacy, CNWL
  • Indira Panchal, Independant Prescriber and Pharmacy Owner

For more information and to register your FREE pass, click below.

 

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

27/09/2021- Fuel panic buying: PDA writes to Prime Minister

22/09/2021 – PDA hosts Q&A webinar for students preparing to sit their Oriel tests

22/09/2021 – Young pharmacist elected to GFTU Executive Committee

20/09/2021 – BAME Pharmacists’ Network launches Race and Ethnicity Terminology Factsheet

18/09/2021 – International Equal Pay Day 2021

15/09/2021 – NAWP Newsletter – September 2021

14/09/2021 – Pharmacy during the Covid-19 pandemic and the future

13/09/2021 – Ability Network invites nominations for upcoming elections

09/09/2021 – Important information for those who sat the July 2021 assessment 

07/09/2021 –  Should I feel guilty for feeling unsafe?

06/09/2021 – Knights Pharmacy acquires 20 branch multiple “Pearn’s Pharmacy” – PDA can support members when their employer changes

03/09/2021 – There is an urgent need to stem the tide of rising pharmacy closures

02/09/2021 – Employers should accept responsibility for conditions in community pharmacy and fix the issues

01/09/2021 – Don’t miss the deadline for registering for reasonable adjustments for the November 2021 assessment

01/09/2021 – Enter the PDA Luxury Spa Competition

READ MORE

Enjoy your PDA Plus savings this autumn!

Many of you may be interested in ways that you can save some money this autumn. Whether you’re saving on your weekly grocery shopping, a fun family day out, or renewing your car insurance, one of the benefits of being a PDA member is that you have access to a range of exclusive PDA Plus discounts.

To see what’s on offer, log in to your PDA Plus account today and start saving money!

LOG IN TO YOUR PDA PLUS ACCOUNT TODAY
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