These meetings were particularly significant as they marked the first meetings of the newly elected committees, whose five-year term runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. Members were congratulated on their election, and each committee elected a Chair. Committees can also co-opt up to five additional members to strengthen representation and address any gaps in experience, with several committees welcoming co-opted members to their inaugural meetings.
Across all Regional Committees, members in the hospital sector highlighted the impact of the recent resident doctors’ strike action, although an agreement has since been reached to end the dispute.
Members working in primary care also discussed the continuing restructuring of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Commissioning Support Units (CSUs), and NHS England (NHSE). Any members affected by these changes are encouraged to contact the PDA Member Support Centre.
Key issues raised by region
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
In the community sector in Scotland, members highlighted staffing levels and workload as critical issues.
In the Scottish hospital sector, PDA Reps are working to progress to full recognition status as soon as possible.
In primary care in Northern Ireland, members reported that responses were now coming to letters they sent to government ministers about aligning to Agenda for Change and the committee discussed possible next steps if employers are unmoved. In addition, due to alterations to funding, students are no longer being hosted for placements in GP practices.
Locums in Scotland reported ongoing frustration with pay and continued lack of access to IP training.
Northern England
The Northern England Regional Committee debated differences in the skill mix required across various community pharmacy multiples. They highlighted an increase in abuse from patients and a reluctance from multiples to ban offenders. The PDA added a new automatic benefit earlier this year to provide support to members in the event of violence in pharmacy. Members are reminded of the PDA’s ongoing violence in pharmacy campaign and associated resources, which includes a poster which can be displayed in pharmacies.
Locums had queries around the delivery of the New Medicine Service (NMS). In particular, members reported that a multiple had asked them to carry out NMS at different branches from the one where they had been asked to locum. This led to a discussion around best practice for pharmacy businesses and trusts when engaging locums. Locums also drew attention to low rates.
Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
Both community and locum members raised the issue of ongoing medicines shortages, which had also been discussed at the last meeting.
In hospital, PDA Reps have been inputting into meetings about the restructuring of Agenda for Change.
Southeast England
In community, members drew attention to the additional services which have been added to Pharmacy First around independent prescribing and discussed increased workload and targets around this.
Members working in the hospital sector highlighted an increased workload in outpatients, whilst locums mentioned a reduction in available work.
In primary care, many pharmacists would like to become prescribers; however, there is not enough capacity or support to do this within GP practices.
Locums revisited ongoing issues around rates as well as being asked to remain signed in as a Responsible Pharmacist (RP) whilst on unpaid lunch breaks. The expansion of Pharmacy First services will also impact locums as training and equipment are needed, which have a cost implication.
Ensuring members’ voices are heard
Matters raised by individuals and groups of members which are discussed at regional level are reported to the National Executive Committee (NEC), where PDA Union policy is set. Along with thousands of cases supported by the PDA each year, member surveys and other sources of information, the regional committees help the PDA keep up to date with what is happening across all areas of practice.
Members needing support with issues at their workplace should contact the PDA Member Support Centre, while wider concerns about developments or trends in pharmacy can be shared with the local Regional Committee.
The Regional Committees are part of the PDA’s democratic structure and are formed to represent members’ views (learn more).
Get involved
- Become a PDA Rep
- Register for upcoming PDA events and education courses.
Learn more
- Regional Committees
- Organisational Structure
- PDA announces regional committee election results
- Government offer to resident doctors in England to end the dispute on jobs and pay (June 2026)
- PDA members unite at national meeting to address the NHS reorganisation impact
- PDA to provide support in the event of violence in pharmacy
- Violence in Pharmacy
- PDA zero tolerance of abuse in pharmacies posters
- New Medicine Service (NMS) – Community Pharmacy England
- PDA responds to expansion of Pharmacy First to include independent prescribing
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.