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Insight Online – April 2024

This month, learn about how we are defending our members by fighting the discrimination they face and how the Pharmacy First thresholds are adding pressure on pharmacists. Plus, read about some useful resources that will support you in your career!

Mon 29th April 2024 The PDA

In this issue:
  • Government is progressing its plan for pharmacy technicians to undertake PGDs
  • PDA fights discrimination on the frontline
  • Pressure mounts on pharmacists as Pharmacy First threshold approaches
  • Professor Partha Kar discusses concerns over patient safety
  • PDA calls for greater transparency on Leadership Advisory Board membership
  • PDA responds to prescription charge increases in England
  • Latest news
  • Supporting you throughout your career

Government is progressing its plan for pharmacy technicians to undertake PGDs 

We are concerned that the government is pressing ahead with its plan to give new powers to pharmacy technicians to undertake Patient Group Directions (PGDs) despite patient safety concerns being raised.

While we agree that pharmacy technicians have a key role in supporting pharmacists through skill mix and, in this way, delivering benefits to patients, we do not support simple role substitution.

Consequently, we did not support proposals made in the government’s consultation to add pharmacy technicians to the list of those professionals who could independently operate PGDs. We have also written to the Pharmacy Minister a number of times about our concerns.

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PDA fights discrimination on the frontline

We recently supported a member facing discrimination after it was revealed that the pharmacist was not receiving her proper maternity pay. The employer was inappropriately refusing to pay the full entitlement due to the pharmacist. We call any situations where employers withhold payment due to employees ‘wage theft’ and believe this is unacceptable.

With our help, a settlement agreement was ultimately reached and the employer agreed to make the payment of more than £3,000 in respect of the discrepancies in the calculation of maternity pay made so far. The maternity pay for the remaining months of the maternity leave will now be paid at the correct rate.

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Pressure mounts on pharmacists as Pharmacy First threshold approaches

There is increasing concern about the pressure on pharmacists to ensure that the minimum activity threshold of clinical pathway consultations is reached. Our members are reporting that this is manifesting in the introduction of daily or weekly targets and comparisons with other pharmacies through ‘league tables’ at some employers.

As the Pharmacy First Service becomes more embedded, the minimum activity thresholds relating to funding increases. The number of clinical pathway consultations required is set to double between April 2024 and May 2024 when 10 consultations will be needed for contractors to claim the block payment. This will increase to 30 consultations per month from October 2024 onwards.

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Professor Partha Kar discusses concerns over patient safety

We have asked a leading physician, Professor Partha Kar to share his views on the current debate about the role of Physicians Associates and the concerns over patient safety.

Learn more

PDA calls for greater transparency on Leadership Advisory Board membership

It’s hoped that the board, established by the four CPhOs, will lead to greater professional fulfilment for pharmacists and improved patient safety, but only if they are open and honest.
 
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PDA responds to prescription charge increases in England

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that from 1 May 2024, the NHS prescription charge will increase from £9.65 to £9.90 per prescription item.

Learn more

Below is a summary of some of the other key news stories that have been published on our website recently:

28/4/24 – PDA invites all pharmacists to take part in the 2024 Safer Pharmacies Survey

26/4/24 – PDA Reps at Boots supported to become Mental Health First Aiders

23/4/24 – RPS National Pharmacy Boards Elections 2024 – England

21/4/24 – A pharmacist’s role and responsibility in the delivery of ATMPs

18/4/24 – Lloyds/Sainsbury’s enhanced redundancy claims update – April 2024

17/4/24 – PDA Ability Network releases initial findings from the disability discrimination survey

16/4/24 – PDA continues to support the BPSA Annual Conference

13/4/24 – PDA to attend Clinical Pharmacy Congress 2024

13/4/24 – PDA donations to Pharmacist Support exceed £250,000

8/4/24 – PDA to submit three motions at STUC Congress 2024

6/4/24 – PDA update for members in Northern Ireland

5/4/24 – PDA wishes Claire Ward good luck in election as Mayor of East Midlands

4/4/24 – PDA NAWP Network’s International Women’s Day event: Women and Inclusion in Pharmacy

3/4/24 – Welcome to the April 2024 PDA Education Update

2/4/24 – PDA calls on members to share their views on the role of a DPP

1/4/24 – PDA Education launches support programme for trainee pharmacists

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Supporting you throughout your career

We aim to support members in every stage of their career. To do so, we have put together a number of FREE resources that can help you advance and nurture your career and improve your working life.

Access our trainee programme

If you’re a PDA trainee member, take advantage of our self-directed online programme designed to help you prepare for the assessment. This includes an assessment guide, revision programme, and workshops.

Learn more and sign up here.

Take part in our career progression courses

PDA Education – our online learning platform – provides members with a variety of free courses aimed at helping your career grow. We’re currently offering courses on CV-writing and interview skills and building workplace relationships.

Learn more about the events and courses available here.

Attend the Clinical Pharmacy Congress (CPC) 2024

PDA members can register for free access to CPC here! Sign up today and receive high-quality, free, CPD through clinical update sessions delivered by specialist and expert speakers. We will be delivering two sessions at the show this year. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Learn more.

PDA members, access more FREE resources to support you in a range of different areas of your working life, from experiencing stress in the workplace to facing redundancy. Access all of our resources here.
ACCESS OUR RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

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The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
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and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

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