Welcome to the August 2024 PDA Education Update

The 2024 Summer School is now open for members to register! This FREE programme launches this Tuesday with an event specifically for active members, which you can learn more about here. However, the other courses and workshops are available for all PDA members.

As part of the Summer School, you are invited to a live online workshop on Tuesday 13 August to learn about the importance of assertiveness. Being assertive is a key skill when working in pharmacy, as you need to be able to take the lead and effectively express yourself in a range of situations. This free workshop will help you understand the difference between aggressive and assertive behaviour, recognise the benefits of being assertive, and learn techniques for when you are struggling to be assertive. Learn more and register for this workshop here.

The Summer School’s self-directed online courses will be available for you to start on Wednesday 14 August, although you can sign up for them now. The courses are:

Learn more about the courses here.

We continue to offer a range of courses throughout the year that are accessible to all of our members. These free courses aim to ensure that you are well-prepared for the various roles you may undertake as a pharmacist. Our self-directed, online CV and interview skills course and resources is still available to PDA members. You can register for this course here.

Since our last PDA Education newsletter, we have been helping our trainee members prepare for their assessment. This year’s support included our free revision programme, which consists of practice questions, timed mock exams, and revision tips. Hundreds of our trainee members accessed this resource via our online education hub.

As part of our support package, we also ran two live calculation sessions, which provided attendees with valuable feedback on how to answer a range of questions.

Recently, we held a live online session on how to thrive in your trainee year. This event aimed to help fourth-year students prepare for their upcoming year as a trainee and the run-up to the registration assessment.

Abeer Aamir, who attended the session said, “This course made me feel more at ease and prepared for my trainee year and all of our questions were answered by the kind and informative team at the PDA!”

We offer PDA trainee members support year-round and encourage trainees to take advantage of our resources and events. For those sitting the November assessment we will be launching our revision programme at the start of September.

Back in April, we ran our first face-to-face development day for PDA Reps, committee members, and active members. PDA staff came together to work with members on a range of workshops. PDA Chairman, Mark Koziol also delivered a keynote speech.

PDA Head of Education, Kate Kensington said, “The day was a great opportunity to bring together all PDA active members to discuss the work that they are doing to support pharmacists across the country and to offer some information advice and guidance on some of the issues facing PDA members.”

PDA Workplace Rep and Regional Committee member, Marina Khan said, “The Shaping Pharmacy event provided a dynamic platform covering a range of vital topics. From understanding common casework issues to exploring avenues for making a difference in pharmacy, this event was a catalyst for empowerment and learning. With insightful sessions on the Women’s Health Strategy and amplifying the voice of pharmacists, we gained invaluable insights to drive positive change in our roles, workplaces, and beyond. Together, we’re shaping the future of pharmacy!”

Another attendee said, “I had a great time attending the Shaping Pharmacy conference! It was an enlightening experience that has opened my eyes to the future potential of Pharmacy practice. As a student, it was inspiring to be surrounded by pharmacists from different sectors and backgrounds and to hear about their experiences. Although it may have seemed a bit intimidating at first, everyone who attended the event was friendly and welcoming so I highly recommend attending PDA’s face-to-face events.”

In June, PDA locum members were invited to a PDA online event, where they were able to network with each other and discuss the current issues they’re facing. The event also included a presentation on locum rates, agency working and the legal position of cartels, a discussion on the opportunities to become active members of the PDA, and an FAQ session.

Sidney, a PDA Locum Rep said, “I enjoy being a PDA Locum Rep and I feel it is important if you want to see change and to be part of leading change. Being a rep has enabled me to network with peers across pharmacy sectors and gain access to information and knowledge which has benefitted me and my colleagues. From this meeting, I hope there can be a vision to raise the plight of locum pharmacists and to bring them together to amplify their voice through the PDA.”

PDA locum members who are interested in getting involved and attending the next locum event should email [email protected].

We are currently working on more resources and events to support PDA Locum Reps get active and campaign for change. If you are a locum member and interested in becoming a rep, then please click here.

This Tuesday, we are inviting all PDA Reps and active members to a live online workshop focused on helping you have successful conversations with people about the PDA. By engaging people in these conversations, you’ll be encouraging more pharmacists to join, which will strengthen the union and ensure more people can access our support and advice. Learn more about the event here.

We are also running a Health and Safety Reps Part 1 course in September. This course explores the rights around health and safety and what employers should be doing to protect your health, safety and welfare at work. If you are a new PDA Rep or interested in health and safety, then this course will interest you! You can find more information about this course by listening to Health and Safety Rep, Caroline Holmes, here.

In October, we will be holding a completely new course for reps to help them understand more about recognising and tackling discrimination.

Later on in the year, we will be running courses specifically for PDA Reps working in the NHS and as locums.

Safiyyah, a PDA Student Rep who attended a PDA Reps face-to-face course in June said, “I recently completed the 2-day PDA Reps Part One Training in Quorn. I learnt how reps can support union members such as during grievance or disciplinary procedures. I understood the role of the rep in the workplace, including activities and duties they can do whilst working. I got involved with role plays, practicing how to deal with situations where members have come to the rep for advice and support (including what information the rep needs to acquire for legal assistance). I networked with amazing PDA Reps from across the country, who will be students or pharmacists working in various sectors. I was made to feel very comfortable and welcome throughout. It was really enjoyable and the group liked hearing my views as a student. Quorn Grange was a lovely hotel for a quiet retreat and yummy food! I hope this will encourage as many of you to attend future training courses.”