PDA LGBT+ Network launch resources to support LGBT+ inclusive education

The PDA LGBT+ Network has launched a range of resources as part of an ongoing #LGBTplusMPharm campaign to update the curriculum at Schools of Pharmacy where LGBT+ inclusion is lacking.

In Autumn 2021, the PDA LGBT+ Network identified that updating curriculums at Schools of Pharmacy where LGBT+ inclusion is lacking was necessary. This supports the GPhC's Initial Education and Training standards (IET), specifically the aim of ''having a greater emphasis on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to combat discrimination and address health inequalities.'' Therefore, the committee wrote to both the GPhC and the Pharmacy Schools Council (PhSC), who are partly responsible for setting the MPharm curriculum, and launched their #LGBTplusMPharm campaign on social media.

The PDA LGBT+ Network then worked with students in each pharmacy school to reach out to their lecturers, Heads of Schools and diversity leads in order to make pharmacy education staff aware of the campaign via a letter.

The campaign was received positively by the GPhC, PhSC, and pharmacy schools, and the PDA LGBT+ Network committee were invited to meet with lecturers and to speak at various events. This included the Pharmacist Education Summit on EDI hosted by Health Education England (HEE) and the PhSC which was aimed at pharmacy educators. Additionally, Soh Xi Ken, Honorary Secretary of the PDA LGBT+ Network, spoke about the campaign at the BPSA's 80th annual conference. The committee also produced a campaign video which was shown at the PDA Northern Ireland student conference.

Building on the #LGBTplusMPharm campaign, the PDA LGBT+ Network has now launched a set of resources to support pharmacy schools to coincide with Pride Month. The resources include an action plan, a set of case studies, and a list of resources.

Scott Rutherford, President of the PDA LGBT+ Network, said, ''Last year, we introduced the profession to the need for LGBT+ inclusion in the MPharm programme. This year, we are giving pharmacy schools a menu of actionable changes to aid them to diversify the curriculum, make LGBT+ students feel more secure, and improve the care of LGBT+ patients. The network encourages pharmacy educators to reach out and share best practice and receive feedback on their ideas on how to implement an #LGBTplusMPharm."

Learn more and download the resources here.