Below are details of some of the main issues that were debated at the fourth Regional Committee meetings of 2024.
The role of the Education Supervisors (ESs) and/or Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs) was a hot topic across all the nations. PDA members in Northern Ireland queried the backfill available for ESs and/or DPPs, the number of trainees allocated to them, whether they could be forced to undertake either role, and renumeration in relation to the roles. These matters were raised with the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD) to gain clarification.
In Scotland, the Regional Committee highlighted a lack of available DPPs. They were particularly concerned that in one large multiple, Independent Prescribers are acting as DPPs and are supervising multiple trainees despite not necessarily routinely prescribing themselves if they are mainly based in an office as part of their role.
In the South East, a shortage of DPPs to supervise trainees was also noted, as well as a lack of funding available to support this. The North Regional Committee had similar concerns but additionally reported that some employers were forcing employees to be DPPs, that there are not enough DPPs to cover the upcoming trainee influx, and that a two-tier system of Independent Prescribers (IP) and non-IP pharmacists is developing. In particular, they agreed that pharmacists should be able to choose to become IPs or not, without fear of penalty.
The Wales and West Regional Committee reported that employers in Wales get paid £3,000 for having a DPP but that this money does not get filtered down to the pharmacist carrying out the role. In some NHS Trusts, IP is required in order to progress up the bands, and one member reported that their department receives a £2,000 payment for them being a DPP, but that they are allowed to do other training and CPD in turn. Some Primary Care Networks (PCN) are getting paid for having DPPs, and others are considering whether DPPs ought to be paid an honorarium.
Clarity around the roles and the renumeration available seems to vary considerably across sectors and geographical locations, with no consistent approach, and some members are concerned about the additional workload created.
In April, the PDA launched a survey, inviting members to share their views on the role of the DPP. In August, the PDA, as the leading membership organisation for pharmacists in the UK, expressed concern that they had not been invited to a roundtable discussion about the role. Members can still contact the PDA with information and feedback about the development of DPPs on an ongoing basis at, [email protected].
In addition, an ongoing issue that was reported across all Regional Committees was PDA members with past benefits in the Boots pension scheme. Any members affected by this are advised to follow the latest PDA guidance.
Northern Ireland
Una O’Farrell, PDA National Officer for Northern Ireland (NI) , attended the Bengoa Conference on ‘Health & Social Care Reform – Accelerating Change’ in Belfast. The conference covered a range of topics on how to improve healthcare in NI.
Within GP Federations, difficulties relating to the application of the pay award for the financial year 2023 – 2024 are still ongoing. Members also continue to raise the matter of structured career progression to mirror the Agenda for Change programme.
Scotland
Members represented the PDA at several Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) conferences, attending the women’s, black workers’, and disabled workers’ conferences, and put forward a variety of motions.
In community pharmacy, members reported that in one large multiple, a new process is being rolled out more widely, where scripts are clinically checked the day before and then assembled without the pharmacist seeing them again. As a result, support staff levels are reduced and so there is more pressure on pharmacists.
Further, locums reported reductions in hours as well as pharmacy closures, including those that closed at short notice. The PDA urges members to continue to report closures.
North
The North Regional Committee raised the issue of continuing and growing workload pressures being applied to pharmacists working in community pharmacy because of the increased services they are expected to perform. This includes targets that are often connected to these services by employers. There were concerns around some employers directing patients seeking self-care to the Pharmacy First Service instead, and members were anxious about the consequences this could have on existing self-care protocols, as well as antimicrobial stewardship.
PDA members working in hospital pharmacy discussed the pay award of 5.5%, which was expected to be received in October 2024, backdated to April. There was debate around banding of roles and possible amendments, following conversations with members of other healthcare trade unions. Members are advised to read the PDA guide on re-banding using the NHS job evaluation scheme.
In primary care pharmacy, whilst PDA members support industrial action by their medical colleagues, they debated the impact of capping appointments on patients, who would then be looking to pharmacies for advice. This could result in further increased workload for community pharmacists.
Further, the committee discussed the racist riots which occurred over the summer and the impact that this had on BAME colleagues, both professionally and personally. They received positive feedback from PDA members who had shared their gratitude at the support offered by the PDA during this time. In light of the riots, and the increase in violence and abuse in general, PDA members are reminded of the PDA’s Safer Pharmacies Charter and the zero tolerance of abuse posters which can be displayed in pharmacies.
South East
In hospital pharmacy, Aurelius are reviewing several contracts and potentially putting them to tender which could impact on pharmacists’ jobs. The Regional Committee were particularly concerned about pharmacists’ employment rights when the ownership is transferred under Transfer of undertakings (TUPE) regulations. Any members affected by this change should contact the PDA Member Support Centre for advice.
Locum members raised that they are often expected to perform extra services such as Covid-19 vaccines or flu jabs but that they must undertake the training at their own expense.
Wales and West
In community, members highlighted some issues with IT in multiples around advanced clinical checks. Workload was also flagged as a concern since it is the first year of the flu season alongside delivering Pharmacy First Services.
In the hospital sector, recruitment and retention continues to be a problem, which adds to the workload, with younger pharmacists leaving to locum due to better pay and conditions.
In primary care, members were concerned about workload in relation to completing Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) within a short time. Those working remotely were particularly affected as they feel isolated. The PDA has recently published guidance around SMRs in response to member queries.
Locums in Wales raised concerns around IT systems, especially around batch prescriptions and potential risks to patient safety.
Matters raised by individuals and groups of members which are discussed at regional level are reported to the National Executive Committee (NEC), where PDA Union policy is set.
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.
Get involved
- Keep an eye out for upcoming PDA events.
Learn more
- PDA calls on members to share their views on the role of a DPP
- PDA is listening to pharmacists on the development of DPPs
- PDA issues important communication for members with past benefits in the Boots pension scheme
- PDA attends Bengoa Conference on reforming healthcare in NI
- PDA works closely with the STUC to improve the working lives of pharmacists in Scotland
- PDA urges pharmacists to report temporary pharmacy closures to NHSE
- PDA responds to NHS pay announcement
- A Guide for PDA Members: How to apply for re-banding using the NHS job evaluation scheme
- PDA’s Safer Pharmacies Charter
- PDA zero tolerance of abuse in pharmacies posters
- PDA Member Support Centre
- Guidance on Structured Medication Reviews
- Regional Committees
- Organisational Structure
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