The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7213 p270
31 August 2002

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Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (www.psnc.org.uk)

Primary care trusts want to see employee pharmacists on LPCs

Some primary care trusts in England are asking local pharmaceutical committees in their areas to include places for employee pharmacists. As a result, employee pharmacists are being urged by one LPC secretary to contact their LPCs to see if they have places reserved for them on their reformed committees.

David Kent, secretary to Camden and Islington LPC, London, told The Journal that while most LPCs are expected to follow the model structures proposed by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, some are not. He is secretary to one of a number of LPCs that have been asked to include places for employee pharmacists. Employees working more than 16 hours a week in a single pharmacy are being sought for nomination so that an election can be held.

The PSNC's model constitution for LPCs does not permit employees to seek election directly, although they can be nominated by their employers as contractor representatives. Some LPCs are now adopting constitutions that allow self-nomination by employees.

"In the past, proprietors have not always passed information relevant to their employees on such matters on to them — they are urged always to do so," Mr Kent said.