The PDA believes that the shortfall in community pharmacy funding in England needs to be resolved. The current arrangements have led to a severe workforce crisis, and it is significantly a reason why so many pharmacists are leaving the sector. It is therefore unsurprising that the NPA, as the representative of independent community pharmacy owners in the UK, has launched a ‘Day of Action’ on 20 June 2024. This day of action aims to raise awareness of the funding crisis during the election period.
In line with concerns raised by PDA members about some of the potential practical consequences of the NPA’s ‘Day of Action’ campaign, PDA and NPA officials have met and agreed the following;
- The NPA has issued guidance to its members about how to ensure that there is no reduction in patient safety during any symbolic dimming of lights.
- Recognised that the authority of the responsible pharmacist must be taken into consideration and this advice will be provided to respective members.
- Clarified that this campaign will not impact detrimentally upon the contractual arrangements such as working hours for any employee or locum pharmacists.
- The NPA will make clear to its members what can be done and what shouldn’t be done as part of the campaign at its members events.
The PDA has confirmed that it will organise a supportive member led campaign which will focus on the impact upon patient safety and the extraordinary difficulties faced by community pharmacists in trying to deliver even more new services against a background of severe workload pressures. These pressures have been created by chronic and ongoing reductions of staff which have been caused by insufficient community pharmacy funding from the government.
Get involved
- PDA members seeking to support the NPA’s ‘Day of Action’ are encouraged to use the hashtag #SaveOurPharmacies on social media.
Learn more
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