The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7190 p385-391
23 March 2002

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Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (www.ghp.org.uk)

Guild settles for 3.6 per cent rise and a boost for preregistration trainees

Hospital pharmacists working in the National Health Service will receive a 3.6 per cent pay rise following settlement of the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists' pay claim for 2002–03. Preregistration trainees are set to receive a 15.8 per cent boost. There is some disappointment, however, that eroded salary differentials have not been corrected.

As well as an overall increase of 3.6 per cent, or £400 whichever is greater, for each point on the pay scale, the guild has also negotiated an additional pay point on the top of grade D and the movement of two points from the bottom to the top of grade H. These are designed to reward longserving members of staff in these grades. The increase in pay for trainees, rising to £12,900, will also apply to students on either part of a sandwich course placement, removing two previously separate pay rates.

In addition, the emergency duty allowance will be increased from £2,130 to £2,297 and the London allowance increased by 3.6 per cent. Details of how the pay rises are to be implemented with effect from 1 April will be posted on the guild's website (www.ghp.org.uk) next week.

Ron Pate, chairman of the Pharmaceutical Whitley Council staff side, said: "While it is pleasing that this pay award is in line with offers made to Pay Review Body groups, it is disappointing that further progress could not be made in terms of correcting all the problems created by the 1999–2000 pay award (ie, the erosion of salary differentials between grades A, B, C, D and grades D+, E, F, G, H). However, this settlement is a step in the right direction and should send a positive signal to pharmacy graduates regarding remuneration potential and a future career in hospital pharmacy.

"In terms of further work, we are looking to progress modernisation of hospital pharmacist grading definitions and, in particular, the creation of a consultant pharmacist grade."

Mr Pate added that in this year's pay claim the guild had sought a 35-hour working week for pharmacists. It was hoped that this matter would be dealt with under the Agenda for Change discussions on the modernisation of pay within the NHS. These are likely to set a standard working week for all NHS staff.