COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: If, in addition to indemnity for your main employment, you would like cover for delivering COVID-19 Vaccinations please apply for our standalone extension Apply Today

Home  »   Latest News   »   PDA calls on employers to support prov-reg pharmacists with the study and revision leave they need

PDA calls on employers to support prov-reg pharmacists with the study and revision leave they need

From today, the online assessment for prov-regs and pre-reg resitters can now be announced with only two months’ notice. The cohort are concerned that their employers are becoming less supportive and may not agree to the exam preparation leave they need.

Wed 18th November 2020 The PDA

As the next wave of the pandemic manifests and preparation for the vaccination programme makes clear the unprecedented scale of the task ahead, pharmacists will be needed more than ever.  Nevertheless, the population of prov-reg pharmacists and those who are re-sitting the exam still need to have adequate time to prepare.

The PDA is hearing from members who say their employers are suggesting that approving leave for exam preparation will be more difficult due to the pandemic workload. The PDA believes the whole sector should be supporting the cohort to have a fair chance of passing their exam.

Making it even harder for the prov-regs to pass could cause further problems to the sector; if prov- regs fail, they will be immediately removed from the register and that could mean hundreds of pharmacists disappear from the profession at the height of the vaccination programme during the second wave of the pandemic.

The GPhC previously confirmed that their online assessment will be held on a date in the first quarter of 2021, while avoiding the first two weeks of January, so the exam will be held sometime between Monday 18 January and Wednesday 31 March 20.

This means that any day from today (18 November), the regulator could announce that the exam will be held in two months’ time; such a short time frame makes the planning of study and revision leave a bigger challenge for employers, prov-regs and re-sitters, but it is essential.

The PDA are reiterating our call for all employers to ensure that the 2020 cohort, many of whom have worked throughout the pandemic, are given the time off for study and revision that they need.

Locums are readily available to offer cover

There is a readily available population of locums in the sector so employers can begin making arrangements to secure cover and enable reasonable and planned time off for those taking the assessment examination.

 

 

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

Cookie Use

This website uses cookies to help us provide the best user experience. If you continue browsing you are giving your consent to our use of cookies.

General Guidance Resources Surveys PDA Campaigns Regulations Locums Indemnity Arrangements Pre-Regs & Students FAQs Coronavirus (COVID-19)