There are four PDA Regional Committees:
- Region 1 – Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
- Region 2 – Northern England
- Region 3 – Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
- Region 4 – Southeast England
Below are details of some of the issues that were debated at the first round of Regional Committee meetings in 2025.
Concerns about DPPs/ IPs remained a topic of discussion at all Regional Committees. Members expressed concerned that some DPPs were office-based with little clinical experience which could lead to patient harm. Another significant concern was that some DPPs and groups of DPPs are charging for being a DPP. This raises ethical issues and concerns about the quality of the support provided.
The challenge for locums and those in hospitals to access IP training was also raised, with some universities having waiting lists for IP courses and others in the NHS reported they have had their applications rejected multiple times.
Northern Ireland
The 23/24 pay dispute at GP Federations NI has come to a formal resolution. All pharmacists employed by GP Federations NI have now been awarded a £1,505 non-consolidated payment.
Scotland
Members in Scotland reported that it was almost impossible now to earn a living as a locum pharmacist and that a second job was required. Problems included few shifts, very low rates, and long travelling distances.
North
Members discussed the PDA’s success in becoming part of the NHS Staff Side structures. One member shared that their experience in representing PDA members in the NHS was very positive and that they had been welcomed by the Trust’s staff side leads.
Members also discussed concerns from locum members that advance clinical checking schemes at a number of employers raised additional risks for their patients. This is because they would not know individuals well enough to spot mistakes with medications dispensed through this scheme. Regional Committee members felt that employers should be doing more to ensure that patients and pharmacists are not put at risk by reliance on advance clinical checks in all circumstances and stores.
Southeast
Concerns were raised about the short-term nature of funding for primary care network (PCN) pharmacists who often found themselves on 12-month fixed term contracts. Those members are asking for more job security with longer contracts.
Wales and West
Members discussed the fact that some GP pharmacists are working remotely, causing them to feel isolated with little support. There is a continuing issue of GP pharmacists being asked to work outside their boundaries of competence and the PDA continues to remind members to seek advice from the PDA where this happens.
Matters raised by individuals and groups of members which are discussed at regional level are reported to the National Executive Committee, where PDA Union policy is set.
PDA members needing support with issues at their workplace should contact the PDA Member Support Centre, while wider concerns about developments or trends in pharmacy can be shared with the local Regional Committee.
The Regional Committees are part of the PDA’s democratic structure and are formed to represent members’ views.
Those interested in becoming a PDA Rep can find out more by clicking here.
Learn more
- Regional Committees
- Organisational Structure
- PDA requests meeting with GP Federations NI following members’ unhappiness with pay award proposal
- PDA Union joins NHS National Staff side and Joint National Council
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.