The DDA Podcast

July 2026 is an important date in the roll out of the Employment Rights Act 2025 . From July 1, employers must put protective measures in place to defend themselves against enhanced unfair dismissal claims from employees that come into effect from January 1, 2027.  In this podcast, the DDA speaks to Mike Markham , managing director of specialist GP HR services provider Cavell HR about the implicat...

"It's the 'Golden hour' to engage with the new health secretary." That's the call to action from Suffolk Coastal MP and Chair of the Labour Rural Research Group Jenny Riddell-Carpenter in the latest episode of the DDA Podcast. In this podcast, hear Riddell-Carpenter set out the implications of the change at the top of the Department of Health and Social Care, how rura...

The DDA Conference takes place on Weds 30 Sept and Thurs 1 October at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.  In this conference preview podcast, DDA Chief Executive Matt Isom speaks about this year's innovations, including our new dispenser breakout sessions, and the many benefits conference offers to the whole dispensary team.  There's also a chance to test your own dispensing k...

In this episode, the DDA speaks to the three mainland Britain GPCs to find out more about their progress towards achieving a sustainable dispensing contract in Wales, Scotland and England.  DDA Communications Officer Ailsa Colquhoun spoke to:  GPC Wales Deputy Chair Dr Ian Harris Scottish GPC Deputy Chair Dr Al Miles (from 13m 08s) GPC England Chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer (from 25m 40s) Referenc...

In this episode DDA Communications Officer Ailsa Colquhoun speaks with Philip Edwards, Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Principal Pharmacist, at NHS BSA Prescription Services on the subject of best practice with the Drug Tariff for England and Wales.  In this episode, you will find out where to find information on endorsing items and submitting payment claims, when to look out for changes to th...

In this episode, we take a look at the challenges facing dispensing practices as electronic prescribing (and dispensing) systems roll out across England and Wales (the Electronic Prescription Service ) and in Scotland ( the Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways programme ).  Hear the latest news on these systems from DDA Board Members:  Dr Mike Barstow (England) Dr Fiona Porter (Wales, from:...

In this episode, DDA Board Member Mark Stone, pharmacist partner at the Tamar Valley Practice in Cornwall, looks at the changes to workflow and layout, buying and use of technology that the smarter dispensary can make to improve profitability and efficiency. 

Frosty" relations between the BMA and the DHSC leave dispensing contract negotiations in a fragile state. However, the DDA has a plan of action to protect dispensing practices as the challenges of 2025 fade into the New Year.   Listen in to hear how the DDA will approach the challenges of 2026 in this new podcast 

"They expect excellence  but are paying for base-line survival". That sums up many of the challenges facing dispensing practices in Wales, according to DDA Wales chair Dr Fiona Porter in this podcast.  Listen in to hear the work she is doing to overcome challenges such as the shared contract with England, item based funding, the Dispensing Services Quality Scheme (DSQS) and the NHS Wales...