Pharmacists’ Defence Association produces services contract for locums and proprietors
A new services contract for locum pharmacists that makes clear the responsibilities of both locums and proprietors has been produced by the Pharmacists’ Defence Association.
As well as setting out agreed performance requirements for locums, the
new contract includes commitments from proprietors to ensure sufficient
numbers of support staff and safe working environments. It also makes
clear that any errors occurring as a result of acts or omissions by proprietors,
such as the provision of poor quality stock, deficient equipment or inappropriate
staffing levels, will result in the proprietor being held liable and
not the locum.
“For many years locums have worked under a system which is weighted
in favour of proprietors, because the contract for services that is in
widespread
use was drawn up by the National Pharmacy Association, whose primary
role is to look after the interests of pharmacy owners,” said Mark
Koziol, PDA director.
Mr Koziol said that the new contract was more balanced, fair and reasonable.
Recognising that some employers may not be used to locums expecting them
to meet contractual requirements, the PDA points out that most of them
are requirements that are already placed on owners via the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society’s Code of Ethics or by health and safety legislation.
“So far, only one superintendent pharmacist has argued that he
would not guarantee staffing levels or a safe working environment for
locums, so
we urged him to read the Code of Ethics,” said Mr Koziol. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader