Addressing the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland (HPAI) AGM on Saturday 20th April, Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly emphasised the fruits of Hospital Pharmacists persistent organising efforts on the ground. She underscored the substantial career structure enhancements and improved pay achieved through years of dedicated grassroots organising work by pharmacists across the country.

“For those of you who began this journey with the publication of the McLoughlin report in 2011, or even before that – I believe we are now weeks from the publication of a circular which will see the creation of both the Deputy Pharmacy Executive Manager Post and the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist post.”

“You have achieved this by working collectively within your union and your association. Working together, with determination and resilience, you have won a new career structure with improved pay for you and your colleagues. You have done that. The HSE didn’t give this to you. The Department of Health didn’t gift it you. You got organised, you named the issues, and you got the outcome.”

The Review of Hospital Pharmacy (McLoughlin Report) recognised the need for a revised structure for hospital pharmacy. It was the first review undertaken since 1978, which was when the current grading structure was agreed. Since the publication of the McLoughlin report, Hospital Pharmacists have been engaged in substantial and lengthy campaign to see the outcome of that review implemented. 

The final version of a technical report developed by the HSE and Fórsa to support the implementation of the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (ASP) role has now been submitted to the Department of Health and shared with members. Linda urged members to make themselves familiar with this document in advance of the Department of Health issuing the relevant circular.

 “It has been a mammoth task to get to this stage and I do want to take this opportunity to thank Richard Sykes, Deirdre Lynch and Elaine Conyard who have been incredible representatives at the negotiation table for you and your colleagues. It’s also, I’ll hasten to add not over yet. The obvious part being we must get the Department of Health to publish the circular, but we must then also re-engage with the HSE on the role of Pharmacy Managers and on progressing discussions on a Pharmacy Regional Lead within the Health Region Structure,” enthused Linda.

That circular is expected to establish a validation exercise for current staff who wish to apply for Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (ASP). The validation exercise is grounded in the recommendations of the technical report.

The newly published technical report aims to outline a process for validating the practice level of pharmacists employed by the HSE in Acute Hospitals who are currently working at an Advanced Specialist Practice level in their roles. 

Closing her address, Linda highlighted the significance of the recent Public Service Agreement which was overwhelmingly ratified by both Fórsa members and the wider trade union membership in the public service by, stating, "The agreement provides for a local bargaining clause within section 4. This is the first such clause in a public sector agreement since the early 1990s." 

She emphasised the importance of this clause by urging members to consider its implications, saying, "What does this mean in reality? You need to decide what else you want for your profession." Linda further encouraged active participation, stating, "There will be meetings organised in due course to establish what the priorities are for Hospital Pharmacists, and it is for you to make those decisions and to form a consensus around a claim."

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.