Lincolnshire Co-op has made six members of its pharmacy warehouse staff redundant as part of “a wider programme of change”.
The co-operative said on July 24 that following a collective consultation with workers at its Lincoln warehouse, it has decided that its pharmacies will now receive supply of prescription medication “directly from existing third-party suppliers”.
Read more: Lincolnshire Co-op could cut 27 pharmacy warehouse jobs
Supplying prescription medication to pharmacy branches was previously “one part” of the work carried out at the warehouse, which currently employs 80 people.
Lincolnshire Co-op said that of the 42 staff members impacted by the changes, 25 will “continue their careers” at the warehouse, while 11 will move on to “new opportunities” and six will be “leaving the business through compulsory redundancy”.
Read more: Lincolnshire Co-op announces pharmacy staff pay rise
The co-op has “supported these colleagues through 1:1s, sessions with the Department of Work and Pensions and skills workshops in areas including CV writing and interview skills”, it said.
As part of wider changes for the business, Lincolnshire Co-op also announced plans to “introduce more health services for patients” and said that “future investment into pharmacy will include new systems and refurbishments at several branches”.
“Challenging”
Lincolnshire Co-op CEO Alison Hands said its strategy is focused on making sure it “can support our local communities for many years to come”.
She added that the co-op needs to “manage costs” and “work in the most efficient way” to ensure that “business activities balance our long-term growth and our community purpose”.
“This type of business transformation is challenging, and I’d like to thank all colleagues for their commitment and dedication as we continue to navigate this,” she said.
Read more: Lincolnshire Co-op set to join the CCA
It comes after Lincolnshire Co-op last year announced a “pay increase averaging 5.8%” for colleagues.
The co-op told C+D at the time that the deal “covers more than 95%” of its staff and includes the approximately 550 pharmacy workers employed at its 43 pharmacies and wholesale warehouse.
