All too often members approach the PDA at the point of an issue escalating and becoming serious. In a recent Fitness to Practise case, the PDA supported a member with a disability who was treated unfairly by a School of Pharmacy. This resulted in saving the member over £50,000 in lost salary. Swift intervention by the PDA avoided a delay in the member registering as a pharmacist and prevented significant additional costs for the member and the pharmacy school.
The PDA cannot stress strongly enough the importance of members contacting them early if they experience problems or have concerns, for advice and guidance and if necessary, representation. This is especially important if faced with misconduct or fitness to practise or fitness to study procedures.
Collette Bradford, PDA Director of Organising and Engagement, said “Some members leave things until it is almost too late. The PDA encourages all members including student and trainee members to contact the PDA as soon as they are aware of an issue. Many concerns can be resolved early and informally, saving time and money.”
Following recent casework experience and student member feedback, the PDA has recently met with the GPhC to explore how together all stakeholders, including pharmacy schools, can better support students throughout their learning and training. The PDA would like to encourage pharmacy schools to work with them and other stakeholders to improve policies and procedures. This will help to better manage student issues and to support students at each stage of their progression, which for some is not a linear journey.
The PDA are focused on improving support for student mental health and well-being, implementing reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities, post-examination procedures and fitness to study and practise procedures. Ensuring that processes are fit for purpose in the current context of blended teaching and learning, changes to IET and the move to online examinations has raised new issues for students and trainees.
Collette continued, “The PDA has unique expertise to share and is willing to work positively and proactively to support students and Schools of Pharmacy. We all need to work together to effectively support future generations of pharmacists, so they are better prepared to contribute to healthcare and can deliver the best patient care.”
PDA student or trainee members who would like to get more involved in the work of the PDA can train to become a PDA Rep. This involves supporting students at university or sharing information with trainees in the workplace. Full training and support is provided.
Students and trainees who are not yet members of the PDA are encouraged to join here.
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