The PDA, alongside other NHS trade unions, has submitted the pay claim for the 2027/28 financial year covering NHS Scotland staff employed under Agenda for Change. The claim requests:
- A significant above-inflation increase to all pay rates and allowances, recognising both current cost-of-living pressures and the impact of pay erosion experienced over previous years.
- A commitment to future pay awards linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), alongside an additional percentage increase to help maintain the value of NHS pay.
- Implementation of outstanding pay modernisation proposals from the 2023/24 pay round, alongside any agreed pay increase.
- Further improvements to Agenda for Change pay and conditions, including fairer arrangements for allowances such as the Distant Islands Allowance, on-call payments and subsistence.
The claim has been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and marks the beginning of negotiations on NHS pay in Scotland for the period 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028.
Why this matters to PDA members
The majority of PDA members working at NHS Scotland are employed under Agenda for Change contracts and will be directly affected by the outcome of these negotiations.
The PDA believes fair pay is essential to attracting, retaining and recognising highly skilled pharmacists. As the demands placed on NHS services continue to grow, it is important that pay arrangements properly reflect the knowledge, responsibilities and contribution of the pharmacy workforce.
Alongside pay increases, the claim also seeks improvements to wider aspects of the Agenda for Change framework, including matters relating to pay progression, promotion and allowances.
The PDA’s role
The PDA has been actively involved in developing and submitting the joint claim as part of the NHS Scotland Staff Side. Working alongside other trade unions, we have helped ensure the interests and concerns of pharmacists are represented throughout the process.
Our shared objective is to secure a fair settlement that recognises the vital role all health professionals play in delivering safe and effective patient care across NHS Scotland.
What happens next?
Pay in NHS Scotland is negotiated directly between NHS trade unions and the Scottish Government.
Discussions with Scottish Government officials will now begin, and the PDA will continue to advocate for our members’ interests throughout the negotiations in tandem with other health unions.
We will keep members updated as negotiations progress and will provide further information when any proposals emerge.
Employed in the NHS, but not yet a PDA member?
If you are a pharmacist but have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
PDA members practice as employed or locum pharmacists across the health sector including hospital, health boards, GP practices, community pharmacy, prisons, and academia. Membership fees are waived for pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified, making membership FREE for those stages of a pharmacist’s career.
Read about our key member benefits here.