Below are details of some of the main issues that were debated at the second Regional Committee meetings of 2024.
Following the proposed changes to supervision, the PDA responded to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) consultation on pharmacy supervision, and PDA Chairman, Mark Koziol represented members’ views at a parliamentary select committee inquiry into pharmacy.
PDA members across England continued to raise concerns about the Pharmacy First Service (PFS), particularly around increased workload and patient expectations, especially following misrepresentation of the scheme, such as with an otoscope being used on an adult in promotional campaigns. Additionally, members reported stock issues, problems with multi-factor authentication on PharmOutcomes, and challenges in communication with GP surgeries. The PDA has clarified member queries and provided reassurance about indemnity insurance arrangements through a series of advice articles. PDA members have been asked to share their ongoing feedback and experiences of the Pharmacy First Service.
Regional Committees also discussed the campaign for fair funding for pharmacy students in England and considered writing to their MPs.
Northern Ireland
For the hospital sector, the DHSC offered a 5% pay uplift plus a £1,500 flat rate non-consolidated payment for the financial year 2023 to 2024 in order to restore parity with England. However, on closer inspection, while 5% represents parity, the non-consolidated payment was graduated for UK Agenda for Change staff, so is not exactly like for like. This modest difference is significant for those in higher bands where PDA members most likely sit. PDA members met during March to discuss the proposal and agreement was reached to accept the offer.
Scotland
Gordon Finlayson, PDA National Executive member for Scotland and Northern Ireland and a PDA National Rep in Boots, attended the 23rd annual Scottish Hazards Conference 2024 in Glasgow in February 2024.
Following the launch of the Pharmacy First Service in England, members noted a significant increase in demand in Scotland. Additionally, there is confusion amongst patients as to the services provided, since the services across the nations are different, and there have been misleading social media posts promoting treatment for earache.
In the hospital sector, members reported staffing issues which is impacting on patient waiting times.
Locum committee members raised concerns around rates being lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic. They highlighted challenges around platforms such as Locate a Locum, where no negotiation is possible around the shifts advertised, and there are concerns that these organisations are not independent but are collaborating with employers.
North
The North Regional Committee discussed concerns around the Pharmacy First Service, as mentioned above. In particular, locums reported difficulty in booking training for PFS.
In the hospital sector, members reviewed on call and considered how to address compensatory rest.
South East
Currently, overseas pharmacists require 2 years to register in the UK, but a recent proposal from the GPhC could shorten this timeline to 3 to 4 months. There are varying requirements according to the pharmacists’ originating countries, with an exam not being required for everybody. The Regional Committee considered that these proposed changes could impact on the pharmacist workforce across all sectors and is a big change from the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP) route.
Regarding the primary care sector, members debated the lack of career progression and salary increases for primary care network (PCN) pharmacists. A disparity between PCNs was identified, with some offering pharmacists pay rises post Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) pathway completion and Independent Prescribing (IP) whilst others do not. It is not clear why funding is being applied differently.
There are ongoing concerns from hospital pharmacists relating to stress due to increasing workloads, which is having an impact on members’ mental health.
Locum members highlighted a bullying culture in some large multiples.
South East Regional Committee members were able to meet in person at CPC 2024.
Wales and West
In Wales, there is a currently consultation about the community pharmacy contract, with proposed changes to original pack dispensing, and payment structures related to this. Additionally, there is a new executive structure within community pharmacy Wales. Further, the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) has now gone live, and Vision software has been withdrawn.
In the hospital sector, members raised concerns about on-call in terms of receiving compensatory rest, and also that more senior bands are having to re-join the rota due to lack of staff and due to challenges in recruiting staff at bands 6 and 7.
The committee noted the requirement for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to cut running costs by 30% and that different ICBs were approaching this in various ways. For example, some were still recruiting whilst others had implemented a freeze on recruitment to make savings.
Regarding locums, members noted that employers do not fully understand HMRC’s stance in relation to their tax status.
The Regional Committee also co-opted a new member onto the committee.
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.
Learn more
- Regional Committees
- Organisational Structure
- PDA responds to DHSC consultation on pharmacy supervision
- Pharmacy First Service
- PDA calls on pharmacists to share ongoing experiences and feedback of the Pharmacy First Service
- PDA students continue to campaign for fair funding – now with the support of their MPs!
- PDA update for members in Northern Ireland
- The 23rd annual Scottish Hazards Conference
- What’s wrong with on-call?
- Hospital pharmacists: understand your legal rights when working on call
- GPhC considers new registration routes that would enable overseas pharmacists to work in Great Britain more quickly
- How to tackle workplace stress
- Locum tax status enquiry update
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