Affected PDA members are so incensed by the proposed settlement, which could see their on-call payments slashed by up to 50 per cent, that they have formally written to their Trust indicating their intention to withdraw from on-call services. Pharmacists from three other Trusts have also asked the PDA Union for advice on notifying their Trust that they wish to withdraw from on-call services due to the drastic cuts in payments.
Hospital pharmacists are disgusted by the proposed flat rate availability payment, equating to around £1.00 per hour, which would value their expertise and responsibility at the same rate as that of lower grade maintenance or manual staff. Many have contacted the PDA in desperation, concerned that their living standards will drop if the settlement is imposed. On-call duties for pharmacists represent a significant and unique responsibility. Being available to provide the service is a disruption to their private life due to the need to provide expert technical and professional advice from a location with ready access to reference sources; however the availability payment rates being discussed with recognised unions and Trusts make no differentiation between the skills of different Trust staff and are pitched at the lowest common denominator.
Pharmacists who decide to challenge their Trust over such settlements may have some good arguments, says Mark Pitt, Assistant General Secretary of the PDA Union. Some Trusts appear to have decided on new arrangements without undertaking a genuine consultation process and the major unions may not have properly considered the views of pharmacists who make up only a small proportion of their members. In such circumstances an imposed settlement with substantially reduced payments may constitute a breach of the implied term of mutual trust and confidence in the employment relationship and release pharmacists from being obliged under their contract to provide on-call services, he says. “Members should not feel that they have to accept very poor settlements. We will fully support members who want to take such action to protect their standard of living,” says Mr Pitt.
Any pharmacists who want to stand up for their right to on-call payments that reflect their expertise and responsibility should contact the PDA Union for advice