Hospital pharmacists association of ireland

HPAI was established as a professional voluntary group under the FORSA trade union.  FORSA provides advice and support on issues of employee relations and negotiates at national level for the welfare of hospital pharmacists. All HPAI members must also be a member of FORSA. 

Why is HPAI membership linked with FORSA?

The HPAI is a vocational professional group within FORSA trade union. FORSA holds the negotiating licence for hospital pharmacists in their dealings with Government/the employer. By virtue of the negotiating licence, FORSA is the sole representative for hospital pharmacists (and some other health professional and social care groups) on issues of pay and conditions of employment. Under Irish legislation, professional bodies do not have negotiating rights with Government in their own right.

What are the benefits of FORSA membership?

• Negotiation Role

FORSA represent hospital pharmacists in negotiations locally with employers and, at national level, with Government about pay and conditions of employment for hospital pharmacists. FORSA can also provide assistance if problems arise in the workplace, e.g. grievance and disciplinary procedures, bullying etc.

FORSA members should raise any local issues with their branch representative in the first instance. 

• PSI ‘Fitness to Practice’ legal representation

The Pharmacy Act 2007 provided for the introduction of Fitness to Practice under the complaints and disciplinary process for pharmacists in Ireland. Legal representation is recommended for any pharmacist subject to a complaint referred to the PSI under ‘Fitness to Practice’. FORSA membership gives you access to professional representation and fair treatment in ‘fitness to practice’ situations. The union has also taken steps to ensure that, as an extra security, hospital pharmacists who are members of IMPACT are guaranteed all necessary legal advice and representation in Fitness to Practice situations.

Other Benefits to FORSA Membership

€5,000 personal accident cover

€5,000 free critical illness or death in service cover

Free legal representation in bodily injury cases

Free 24/7 legal advice helpline

Free 24/7 confidential counselling helpline

Free 24/7 domestic assistance helpline

See FORSA Homepage

To join FORSA Click here 

Education

HPAI hosts a variety of educational activities each year for its members at very competitive costs.  This includes:

• annual conference in April which includes workshops, oral presentations, posters and the AGM.  It is also an ideal opportunity to network with hospital pharmacy colleagues
  
• clinical skills courses, which equip the student with the basic skill sets to work as a clinical pharmacist, develop an understanding of evidence-based medicine and provide them with a framework for conducting their own research
  
•  aseptics biannual meeting, which is an evening meeting open to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
  
•  study days organised by individual special interest groups
  
•  communication training days
  
• access to online webinars offering development in leadership and IT skills

 

Special Interest Groups

A number of special interest groups hold regular meetings throughout the year and network closely to exchange information.  These include:

• Irish Antimicrobial Pharmacists’ Group (IAPG)
• Aseptics Special Interest Group (ASIG)
• Care of the Older Person
• Critical Care Special Interest Group
• Cardiology Special Interest Group
• Mental Health Specialist Interest Group

To become a member of a special interest group, you must be a member of HPAI.  Please contact your chosen group via the Forum

 

National Executive Committee

HPAI members are elected to the national executive committee at the AGM.  Officers are elected from the elected representatives at a meeting of the national executive.  The president assigns non-executive roles to those not selected as officers. 

Sub-committees may consist of members of the national executive and some non-executive members.  These groups work together and report to the national executive monthly.  Examples include the education sub-committee, pharmacy software subcommittee, career structure sub-committee. 

 Meetings of the national executive are held monthly.

 

Constitution

Please follow the link to read the HPAI constitution….(link coming soon!)

 

Resources

HPAI members have access to our forum where which members can use to share experiences, raise queries and provide assistance and expertise to colleagues.

Become a member