Gordon Finlayson (nec rEGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, Scotland AND NI)
I am a pharmacist with over 30 years of experience in the community sector. I have had various roles over the years from store manager to locum. I have also been a pre-reg (trainee) tutor. Currently, I am a relief pharmacist for Boots, working in Angus. I am a trained Union Rep and I am chair of the PDA Reps Network in Boots. I spend most of my working week representing the views of members, providing advice and giving support. I got involved with the PDA Union because I wanted to be part of an organisation that puts pharmacists first. It is a great honour to be able to help pharmacists when they need assistance, whether that is an employment or professional issue.
Iain Speirits (Cardiology Pharmacist, Glasgow)
Since qualifying as a pharmacist in 2002, I have spent the majority of my career in general practice as a prescribing support pharmacist. For the last decade, I have divided my working time between primary care and cardiology. I now focus on the latter, undertaking outpatient clinics for patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure. I have acted as DPP to several pharmacists, as they complete their independent prescribing qualification.
I am privileged to Chair the PDA Union Regional Committee for Scotland. I do so to ensure that individual pharmacists’ voices are heard and represented. Our profession is evolving rapidly; it is critical that the perspective of pharmacists who are providing these enhanced services helps to shape it. This improves professional satisfaction and so delivers a higher standard of patient care.
Niall Doherty (PDA Rep, general practice pharmacist, Northern Ireland)
I have been a general practice pharmacist (GPP) since June 2020, having previously been in the community sector in various roles from locum to pharmacy manger since qualifying in 2016. I thoroughly enjoy my role as a GPP and the opportunities that it has provided me to develop as a pharmacist such as becoming an independent prescriber, leading hypertension and diabetes clinics, mentoring university students through experiential learning and generally constantly growing as a clinician. The future of pharmacy excites me with the potential for specialised roles and the career progression that may allow. I find each day rewarding as I have the chance to improve patient outcomes in such varied ways, whether that be conducting structured reviews, answering patient queries, performing audits, interactions with the MDT etc.
My first involvement with the PDA was joining the campaign for closer alignment with Agenda for Change for GPPs employed by GP Federations in Northern Ireland. This remains a key priority for me to help promote fairer pay and conditions for pharmacists in the sector. I have been involved in these negotiations alongside my colleagues and the excellent PDA team. I have acted as a workplace rep and now have been elected to the regional committee. I so strongly believe in the power of trade unions and hope to promote that belief across the profession.
PAUL FLYNN (LOCUM PHARMACIST, SCOTLAND)
I have been involved with the PDA for 4 years now – firstly as a Regional Representative in Boots and then as an employee in December 2021 as the PDA’s first National Officer for Scotland. I also work as a locum community pharmacist across Scotland.
I feel privileged to be able to work for the PDA, the National Officer role provides me with numerous opportunities to highlight the crucial contributions my fellow pharmacist professionals make to patients and carers throughout the country. I also get to defend them when needed and can provide a raft of life-changing experiences and training through our affiliation with the STUC and through it the wider Trade Union movement.
I am pleased to help assist the Scottish Regional Committee in contributing to the work of the PDA and to help ensure that the work of the PDA remains relevant for all pharmacists employed in Scotland.
Sade Abiola (Vice-Chair of the committee, Hospital pharmacist, Scotland)
I am a pharmacist with a wide range of experience including community, hospital and primary care. I have chosen to be involved with the PDA as they literally stand by you when at need, they defend your reputation and give you the tools to work at your best. I am very motivated to support my colleagues and be part of the drive to create a fair, equitable and thriving work place.
Steve O’Hara (Chair of the committee, General Practice Pharmacist, Northern Ireland)
I am an experienced general practice pharmacist (GPP) having worked in Primary Care in Northern Ireland for the last 7 years. Prior to this, I worked as a community pharmacist for 10 years in Edinburgh and then in Guernsey. My varied experience between different sectors across the UK and Channel Islands gives me a broad understanding of the challenges faced by pharmacists on a daily basis. I have built a trusted network of colleagues across primary and secondary care and also locally within my local area with community pharmacist colleagues. I wanted to become involved more formally with the PDA Union in order to actively advocate and stand-up for GPPs in Northern Ireland. I hope to lend my voice to support colleagues across the Region so that all of us can experience better working conditions now and in the future.
get in touch
The Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Committee meets regularly to discuss pharmacy within the region. They would like to hear your views on pharmacy, and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] with insights and comments on general issues. Individual concerns should be directed to the PDA Member Support Centre for advice.