Motion no: 17
Congress recognises that community pharmacies form part of the NHS and during the pandemic have become the primary access point in the community to NHS services, and have supported hospital efforts when redeployed in secondary care. Pharmacists also play a vital role in improving the health literacy of the population. Despite this, they are often overlooked for recognition of their input, falling into the gaps between medical, nursing and AHP colleagues.
This disparity has been illuminated during the pandemic with pharmacists initially being excluded from PPE provision, health and safety risk assessments, bonus, and vaccinations for locums secured by the PDA Union campaigns.
The Department of Health, Health and Social Care Board, and Trust employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and well-being of pharmacy workers, and to safeguard the role of the workforce in evolving specialist/additional services.
Congress calls upon the Executive Council to campaign for:
- Parity of working conditions, professional respect and safety for pharmacists when providing services comparable to that of medical, nursing and AHP colleagues, including a zero tolerance to abuse, threat or assault in pharmacy premises building on existing PDA Union campaigns.
- The development of a framework for safe staffing levels, flexible working, and adequate breaks for pharmacy staff to enable time to be spent on patient-facing clinical activities and for the pharmacists’ own wellbeing.
- The Department of Health to raise public awareness and that a modern health service includes multidisciplinary teams in which the contribution of all health professionals should be valued and respected
