Pharmacists and their teams at 64 pharmacy sites operated by LP HCS Limited, part of the Hallo Healthcare group, were advised today of the intention for Hallo to exit this part of the pharmacy sector. The PDA is the recognised trade union representing pharmacists employed in these locations and was also notified by the company.
Though announced today, it is expected to be several months before all such branch transfers are agreed and undertaken.
The PDA has members across hospital OPDs and other healthcare service contracts, and has a number of recognition agreements with the companies that operate them. The contracts to provide such services do change hands periodically with some OPDs operated by pharmacy multiples and others operated by hospital-owned subsidiaries. The PDA has therefore significant experience of supporting pharmacists when employers change in this way.
Paul Day, PDA Union Director said, “Each hospital or healthcare services site will still need a service, so it is hoped that we see no job losses in outpatients and that every pharmacist will be able to continue in their current role, albeit that their employer will change.
However, it can be that new employers try to use such transfers to change someone’s role or the terms of their employment. For that reason, there are Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations that provide specific rights to those employees impacted.
The PDA will support members through this change, before, during and after any such TUPE transfer. Those pharmacists who have not yet joined the PDA should do so without delay. Any PDA members with concerns about a specific situation should contact our Member Support Centre.”
Learn more
- PDA can support members when their employer changes under a “TUPE Transfer”
- PDA Member Support Centre
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