The analysed results, which comprised of more than 1,300 responses, supports the anecdotal reports and experiences of PDA members. The current situation for many is of significantly reduced rates of pay, coupled with a reduction in the amount of work that is available to locum pharmacists across the UK.
Many respondents have contributed their thoughts, and opinions, on the causes of this situation, and their frustrations with some of the associated behaviours of employers and agencies/platforms. Some of these were published earlier this month in a previous article, which can be found by clicking here.
Locums who responded overwhelmingly worked primarily in community pharmacy, and 70% of respondents had 10 years or more pharmacy experience. Most locums responding to the survey reported that they would want to work between three and five days a week (73%), though in practice, the majority were managing to work less than their ambition; 59% of locums were working between one to three days a week.
The survey asked respondents to share their current experience in comparison to their lived experience, to which 69% of respondents stated there were either ‘fewer’ or ‘far fewer’ shifts available in the current period compared to a year previously.
On average, the reported reduction in rates of pay between now and 2021 was 10%, which is particularly problematic when considering the significant increases in the cost of living in the same period. Some pharmacists reported working for rates of pay as low as £17ph in Northern Ireland, £18ph in the Midlands and £19ph in London. Locums booking emergency shifts have also reported that there is now very little difference between the rates being offered routinely vs those for ’on the day’ bookings.
It appears that the number of locums being paid any expenses by business owners for travel or accommodation has also drastically decreased. Here, 59% of respondents stated they were now never paid expenses, compared to 22% in the previous period. Only 5% of respondents indicated they were always paid expenses now, a reduction to nearly a third of the figure four years ago (14%). In addition to rate reductions, this is another concerning trend, further reducing remuneration and the attractiveness of a job.
Meanwhile the job content has continually expanded to include more services, and with the introduction of prescribing ability over recent years, it is destined to become even more demanding so as governments try to make even more use of the skills of pharmacists.
There were varied experiences shared in regard to sourcing work. Locums who have managed to build good relations with small chains or independent contractors, who trust them and book them routinely, have seen less of a decline in rates and working opportunities. Locums who do not possess the same contacts, and rely on agencies or platforms to access their work, have fared worse.
Of all locums who reported using an agency/platform to book their shifts, 85% used ‘Locate a Locum’. 87% of respondents stated they could never, or only occasionally, negotiate the rates for a shift. As a factor of being self-employed, according to the HMRC, is that an individual puts in ‘bids, or gives quotes to get work’ , not being able to negotiate may place some locum’s employment status into question.
These results show that locum pharmacists face a hostile working environment, where their earnings, and additional reimbursed expenses, are diminishing while the workplace is demanding even more from them. This demand has increased with burgeoning service expansion, and increased signposting to pharmacies as the first port of call for an increasing range of conditions.
It would appear, from the survey responses, that many locum pharmacists believe that agencies/platforms that profit from their activity still do not act in their interests. The PDA believes that such an approach, solely focused on squeezing community pharmacists for profit, is not a sustainable business practice.
The PDA will carefully consider next steps to support locum pharmacist members in redressing an alarming imbalance in the promotion of business interests over those of the individual professional.
The PDA reiterates thanks to those who completed the survey. In addition to acting on the results of this survey, there will be further surveys about other aspects of the locum experience in due course, and the PDA invites all locum members to share their experience and views.
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