PDA members living in Northern Ireland may recall that last year, after a meeting between the PDA and the PSNI, it was agreed that the regulator would offer the option to pay annual retention fees in quarterly direct debit payments from the retention year 2024-25 onwards.
The PDA first raised the issue of retention fees directly with the PSNI as a direct result of a PDA member survey in NI, which found that:
- 97% of members felt the fees were too high.
- 80% would opt to pay in instalments if this option were available to them.
- On average, the fees accounted for 23% of a pharmacist’s take-home pay for one month.
Members also indicated that this professional expense represented a significant financial burden on them and their households during the ongoing cost of living crisis. It was noted that professions with parity of esteem have mitigations in place to ensure those holding active registration status are not unduly burdened in this way.
The PSNI has recently announced that the intention to offer the instalment payment is delayed, due to the need for legislative amendment, until at least the retention year 2025/26.
The PDA is disappointed that the PSNI has been unable to get all factors in place to introduce instalment payments this year. This is because of a legal impediment to the application of due governance of upkeep of the register in the event of a default payment.
However, the PSNI Chief Executive remains committed to implementing the necessary arrangements, and to further modernising processes for next year. It’s also noted that feedback issued to the PSNI on behalf of PDA members has been facilitated and actioned in good faith and reciprocal communication has been proactive. Furthermore, the PDA welcomes that no increase in the retention fee has been applied.
Unfortunately, many pharmacists, particularly those working less than full-time hours or on maternity leave, may have budgeted according to the PSNI’s original statement of intent. This postponement is to the detriment of PDA members, and indeed all PSNI registrants, and compounds disparities between pharmacists and other sectors of the healthcare workforce.
The PDA will continue to press this as a matter of high priority.
Learn more
- PSNI deliver option to pay retention fees in instalments (May 2023)
- No increase in Pharmacist Registration or Retention Fees in 2023/24 (PSNI website)
- PDA Survey on Professional Retention Fees for members in Northern Ireland (Feb 2023)
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