The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has become a full voting member of the NHS Staff Side Council, allowing it to contribute to negotiations on pay and conditions for NHS staff.
The PDA represents over 40,000 pharmacists and can now vote on issues specific to the profession as one of a group of 14 unions representing over 1 million NHS employees.
Recent discussions have included pay, pensions, job evaluation, and flexible working, according to the PDA.
PDA members at any NHS employer can now get paid time off from their normal work if they volunteer to become a local PDA Union representative, representing pharmacist colleagues and pharmacy-related matters in discussions with local management.
Neil Hardy, chief pharmacist at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Independent Care Board, commented that including the PDA in the NHS Staff Side Council will give pharmacists a greater voice in matters affecting their working conditions.
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The NHS Staff Council was established in 1982 to provide a platform for NHS employers and trade unions to consult on terms and conditions of employment.
Paul Day, PDA Union director, said that the PDA has formally secured national representation for pharmacists employed by the NHS and can make a difference from the centre.
The PDA is one of 14 unions now formally recognised on the staff side, alongside other unions such as Unite and the Royal College of Nursing.
This development is significant for pharmacists, as their interests were previously represented by general unions rather than a pharmacist-only body.