The PDA is thanking those members who have served on regional committees over the last five years. Paul Day, PDA Director of Membership & Communities said “Fundamentally the PDA is its members, created by and for pharmacists and governed by them. On behalf of the entire organisation, I’d like to thank those who have served their peers so well over this last period. While some have been re-elected to their committees, others have stepped down from these regional roles”.
There are four PDA Regional Committees:
- Region 1 – Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
- Region 2 – Northern England
- Region 3 – Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
- Region 4 – Southeast England
PDA ‘s regional committees form a network of practicing pharmacists from across sectors and their constant contributions, alongside casework and structured research, ensure that the PDA keeps up to date with current and evolving practice and the factors impacting upon it.
Each committee is chosen by the membership in that region every five years, and following elections at the start of this year, new committees have five-year terms of office from 1 April until 31 March 2031. The National Executive Committee members for each region also sit on their respective regional committee and this gives an added direct link for matters to be shared across regional and national discussions.
Wide range of other opportunities
Some of those who have stepped down from their regional committee continue in other PDA roles. Paul Day added: “The PDA provides lots of ways in which members can contribute to the profession in leadership and representative positions. As well as promoting the interests of pharmacists, volunteering in these roles builds competence, confidence and often provides wider knowledge for the individual which can help with their future careers.”
The opportunities include:
- At hundreds of NHS and private sector employers, the PDA is now formally recognised, enabling members to have paid time off to undertake trade union duties, including representing colleagues in internal employment processes and negotiating.
- Even at employers where recognition is not yet secured, PDA members can step forward to be trained to represent and support their colleagues with workplace situations.
- In our member networks, such as the National Association of Women Pharmacists, BAME Pharmacists and LGBT pharmacists’ networks; and at Ability, the network for pharmacists with a disability, members elect national officers and committees to lead the work on improving equality.
- Through the PDA’s affiliations there are additional opportunities for pharmacists to take up further positions of influence within those federations.
- Starting at Pharmacy Schools, university undergraduates can commence their leadership journey by becoming PDA Student Representatives, sharing the benefits of PDA membership and campaigning for positive change.
Learn more
Members who step forward to become a PDA rep are provided with the support they need to undertake that role. PDA Education provides development for members, and this includes specific training for those who take on representative roles. Individuals also join the growing community of PDA representatives that are collectively making a real difference for the profession.
Learn more about becoming a PDA rep here.
Get involved
- Become a PDA Rep by clicking here.
- Join an upcoming PDA event by clicking here.
- Learn more about PDA Education here
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.