The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) was honoured to take part in the first ever Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week in November 2025, hosted by the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) and NHS England. The initiative brought together pharmacy partners in a powerful demonstration of a shared commitment to embedding inclusive practice across the profession. The collective effort invested by all partner organisations highlighted just how impactful true collaboration can be.
The GHP partnered with the Pharmacist Defence Association (PDA) and Helio Fazenda (Chief Pharmacy Technician at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) to deliver a workshop titled “Dismantling Racism, Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination in the Workplace.”
The GHP’s session centred on showcasing the updated GHP Inclusivity Checklist, which outlines practical steps pharmacy teams can take to ensure inclusivity is not merely aspirational but genuinely embedded in everyday practice. The session delivered by Doha Ben-Hamed (Chair, Sustainability) and Kemi Adelaja (Vice-Chair, EDI), concluded with a call to action, encouraging all attendees to adopt as many elements of the checklist as possible. And to challenge un-inclusive practices using the principles in the checklist.
The PDA’s session delivered by Alima Batchelor (PDA, Head of Policy) and Dr Jayne Love (PDA, Organiser & Equalities Lead) focused on allyship—its active nature, its role in creating safer and more inclusive workplaces, and the positive cultural impact it can have. Using real case studies from members, the PDA illustrated the importance of tackling discrimination at every level and the work it does to support this.
Helio Fazenda offered a powerful personal perspective on inclusivity and allyship in action, demonstrating how these principles support both personal and professional development and contribute to effective, cohesive and resilient teams.
The workshop concluded with a lively panel discussion chaired by Melanie Holloway (OD Manager, NHS England), with GHP President, Rob Connah also in attendance. The discussion highlighted areas of good practice but also identified some challenges including the need for people centred leadership, dismantling structural barriers, improving representation, and ensuring action goes beyond intent. Participants emphasised that inclusive leadership is a continuous, accountable practice. Feedback on the workshop was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants noting that the real-life examples and case studies brought the principles of allyship and inclusive practice to life in a meaningful and practical way.
As the profession continues to evolve, the GHP remains committed to championing inclusive practice and supporting pharmacy teams to create workplaces where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive.