Locums: your rights on rate cuts

Are the days for locums numbered ? especiallay with the large number of new pharmacy schools churning out fresh new grads??

i think the c and d is the only one who has provided locums with some hope for the new year, there have been incidents were multiples have agreed bookings with locums at the old rate but when they get their invoices they are paid at the lower rate - in the eyes of the law they have breached the contract and legal proceedings could take place - we can sue and probably get more back than we would lose from a pay cut

I think the way the companies went about the whole pay cut issue is disgusting and we locums now have no option but to seek legal help from independent sources - where was the PDA ? to fight for our rights

absolutely disgusting................ I think we need to remind these people that we are not only pill pushers but also pen pushers educated and intelligent folk who know and will stand up for their rights

I am afraid things like this will mean we will have to adopt a zero tolerance policy

This all stems from the failure of the PSNC to negotiate a proper Contract and Fair remuneration as well as holding the PCTs accountable in their failure to commission extra services that were promised to us. Most of the devolved sum has been used up by Medicines Management Teams in their wages and expenses for attending endless meetings after meetings, without achieving anything, but meddling in the way a Pharmacy is run by what in the end is independent contractors to the NHS. As I said in my previous posting, that the price will be paid by the Employees of the Companies. The Companies want to maintain their profit margins and even raise them to keep their shareholders happy. So the burden falls on the employees. They cannot do anything about Minimum Wages for support staff, which are set by Law, So the Pharmacists, who do not have a great deal of unity or anyone decent to represent them, end up paying the price. I wonder if we all joined a National Trade Union, we might get a better deal than the overpaid underperforming PSNC. Just look at the PharmaBase Debacle. It is costly, not fully functional piece of software which has not been accepted by a majority of the PCTs, even when offered for free. Then there is the Cat M!! Need I say more!!

Thank you for your comments. I was also looking at doing a story on whether locums had been affected by the rise in public transport fares - is this something that has affected you? Please e-mail me at emma.weinbren@ubm.com or post a reply here if you have any comments.

Kind regards,

Emma Weinbren (reporter at C+D)

Most of the time, however, there isn't any form of contract between the organisation/company and locums. So as locum pharmacists, we are not protected by any signed contracts and if we refuse the rate cut, somebody else might gladly take it on as long as there is a pay. Also many community pharmacy companies are cutting staff hours as well which means less staff will be in for work and pharmacists will be forced to take on more workload - at a reduced rate. I know for a fact some companies are refusing to compensate public transports/parking fees and also putting a cap on mileage claims. Very soon locum pharmacists will be regarded as cheap labour...

Having been a locum for many years, my personal advice, find somewhere close to home (cut down on travel costs), get accredited for enhanced services and take up a permanent employed position. You'll have employment protection, paid holiday and security of work during these difficult times. Make your self indispensable (pardon the pun) and have some peace of mind. In many walks of life people are being made redundant left right and centre and income security has been ripped away for many who had long term stable jobs. It is the times we live in unfortunately. We are all effected by these circumstances but we have the option to choose how to respond or adapt.

I AM A LOCUM PHARMACIST IN WEST MIDLANDS WHO HAD PLENTY OF WORK LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR 1 MULTIPLE IS NOT EMPLOYING ANY LOCUMS AND ANOTHER MULTIPLE TRANSMITS AVAILABLE WORK ON THE INTERNET AND ALL THE WORK PLACEMENTS CAN DISAPPEAR IN JUST 1 MINUTE BECAUSE LOCUM WORK IS GETTING VERY SCARCE NOW.I AM NOW THINKING OF CHANGING MY CAREER.
SHENU BARCLAY