In November 2020, the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced that NHS workers would be given a payment for their work to support the response to the Covid-19 pandemic (learn more). People who work on a locum basis were included in the pay-out, provided they meet the conditions that they worked within an independent service provider setting, providing NHS services at any time between 17 March 2020 and 30 November 2020 for a minimum of 30 continuous days during the period.
The payment is a maximum of £500 per person for full-time staff and a pro-rata amount for those working part-time. This is a one-off sum, subject to the arrangements described above and is not to be considered as an ongoing pay commitment.
While the arrangements were that employed pharmacists would have had their employer make a claim for their payment by 21 February 2021, those locums who were unable to discuss a claim being made on their behalf by a single appropriate service provider are still waiting for a separate claim form to be provided.
The PDA has been in contact with the Scottish Government to clarify the process for locum members who have confirmed that: “NHS NSS Practitioner and Counter Fraud services are currently in the process of developing the mechanism in which locums may submit an application directly. Within this process, there will be a payment verification process to allow practitioner services to verify the contracted hours worked as part of the eligibility criteria. Once these details are finalised, they will be issued to all NHS Boards for wider publication and communication.”
The PDA will continue to clarify and expedite this process where possible to ensure that locums in Scotland who are eligible for the payment, either in full or on a pro-rata basis can claim it as soon as possible.
We have also heard from employed pharmacists who are concerned that they may not receive their payment in a timely manner via their employer. The PDA urges members who believe that they are due a payment but this is being delayed, to get in touch.
Related link