In the motion, to be presented by recently appointed PDA National Officer for Scotland, Paul Flynn, it states:
‘While these pharmacies display the NHS logo, they are nevertheless run for profit by companies and exist to generate shareholder dividends. The largest chains are UK-wide and in often part of multinational corporations.
Many pharmacists are self-employed locums and do not have an “employer”.
The interests and views of employed and locum pharmacists and other workers in the community pharmacy sector will deviate from the interests and views of the employers. The voice of the workers needs to be heard independently to the voice of business owners in this sector.’
The STUC represents over 560,000 workers and their families all over Scotland and consists of workers with interests in every sector of the economy. The STUC has a representative structure to consider views from all areas and specific bodies representing the views of the LGBT+ community, women, young members, black members, and those with a disability. Its stated purpose is to co-ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the trade union movement in Scotland and reflect the aspirations of trade unionists as workers and citizens.
Paul Flynn said, “It is a real privilege for me to present the first motion to the STUC specifically pertaining to Pharmacists. Pharmacy professionals are a lynchpin of community healthcare provision and are intelligent and well informed and have a right to have their views heard at the top tables when changes to practice are suggested. Why systems have persisted for so long where the voice of those who will provide care directly have held no sway whatsoever should be a source of embarrassment for the Scottish executive. We call on congress to recognise that individual pharmacists themselves have every right to a say in how they will best be able to serve their patients and communities.
I hope my fellow pharmacists will be encouraged by the motion and would call on the remaining minority who are not yet members of their union to join and to add their voice and support to their fellow practitioners asking for a greater say in how we take the profession forward and develop a sustainable and satisfying future for Pharmacy in Scotland.”
The 2022 STUC Annual Congress will take place at the Aberdeen Music Hall from the 25 to the 27 of April.
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