Society Supports GHP Protest For Pharmacist Recruitment Premium, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 12 Jul 2009 - 1:00 PDT


The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is backing the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) bid to get the Government to review its decision on the recruitment and retention premium of pharmacists in hospitals and PCTs.

The Pay Review Body last week recommended that band 6 and 7 pharmacists in these areas should receive the recruitment and retention premium (RRP) from October this year, but the Government has rejected this recommendation.

Steve Churton, Society President said; "The Society has concerns that the current staff shortages will adversely affect patient care and that a failure to address the problem now will only make the problem worse. We wholly support the campaign being undertaken by GHP and Unite to get the Government to rethink its decision.

"We are aware of the work the Guild has done to find a workable solution to the recruitment and retention of hospital and PCT pharmacists. Its findings that there is a national problem are consistent with the Pay Review Body and its recommendation of an RRP in the short term. We intend to raise this issue with Pharmacy Minister, Mike O'Brien at the earliest possible opportunity.

"We are now encouraging pharmacists to write to their MP if they agree that this decision is unfair."

Pharmacists from all sectors are being urged to contact their Health Secretary/Minister and local MP asking for the decision to be reviewed. There are letter templates available from the GHP website, www.ghp.org.uk that you can add your details to and send to the appropriate MP. A list of local MP's can also be found via this website.

Source
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

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