The event was hosted by Nav Bhogal, National Representative for South England & Wales and Regional Representative for the South East, Jayesh Ladva, Regional Representative for the North West and West Yorkshire, and Mithul Shah, Regional Representative for Central London and Greater London North. The reps appreciated the effort that members made to join the event.
The members were given an update on how the PDA Union Reps have built up a collaborative partnership with the Boots vaccination team. This means they have monthly meetings and updates to share concerns and provide solutions to some of the current issues that pharmacists face in store and in vaccination centres. These meetings aim to improve the delivery of the service from the pharmacist’s perspective.
Jayesh shared some efficiencies that Boots have assured the reps have been brought in for this year’s flu season. These include:
- More flu vaccination centers and pop-up clinics.
- Training takes less time.
- Simpler for colleagues and customers.
- Area-led local planning.
- A stronger supply chain.
- A critical People plan.
- Improvements to the appointment diary.
Mithul shared his experience of working in MVC/FVCs. He explained the differences this year compared to previous years and provided information on Outcomes4health, Sonar, and Pharmoutcomes. Some efficiencies included the changes in offering corporate flu vaccinations. Mithul also shared some important information on who is allowed to vaccinate under what circumstances. The Responsible Pharmacist (RP) will always be accountable for the service, whilst the Clinical Supervisor, who could be another pharmacist (including locum), nurse, or pharmacy technician, would be responsible for the service. He highlighted what services are allowed to be provided and by whom, including information on any prior assessments that need to be carried out before vaccination is authorised by certain vaccinators.
The members present were encouraged and welcomed to ask questions and raise any concerns. It was very encouraging to hear members share their experiences of vaccination services this year. The reps agreed to produce a brief FAQs to support pharmacists, which can be accessed below.
download the faqs here
Mithul Shah, Boots PDA Rep for Central and Greater London North and vaccination hub pharmacist said, “Recently, the PDA Reps held a members evening in early October to discuss preparations for the flu service. The reps shared the achievements of the union by working in collaboration with Boots, so that members are supported to provide a much better and efficient flu service this year. It was encouraging to see a lot of members taking the opportunity to join this informative and interactive event, to provide feedback on the flu service, and share helpful tips and some concerns with the wider membership. This event was a great platform which allowed the reps and members to successfully share ideas, and work together on issues.”
The PDA hopes that the members found the evening informative and provided them with a safe space to share their concerns. The PDA Reps in Boots hope to host more events like this in the future and will continue to try to work with Boots to make flu season more professionally fulfilling and as stress free as possible.
The PDA welcomes feedback and is always ready to support any members having issues through the vaccination season.
Learn more
- PDA Boots Network update meeting
- Boots newsletter – October 2022
- PDA Union and Boots reach agreement on 2022/23 pay settlement
- Two thirds of Boots’ pharmacists are now members of the PDA Union
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.