§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that hospital pharmacists are paid out-of-hours pay for their emergency call-outs.
§ Dr. VaughanThe pharmaceutical Whitley Council, which negotiates pay and conditions of service for hospital pharmacists, has been unable so far to reach agreement on payments for emergency duties. I understand, however, that the management side has now prepared a draft agreement on the circumstances in which such payments should be made. Discussion in the Whitley Council of the draft is an essential next step towards an agreement on payment for emergency services.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply of 4 February on hospital pharmacists' pay, whether the draft agreement referred to has now been presented to the staff side; with what result; whether implementation of the agreement would involve additional central funding; and what information he has as to the detailed provisions of the draft agreement.
§ Dr. VaughanI understand that the draft agreement has not yet been presented to staff side, as consultations with employing authorities have not been completed. The cost of any agreement cannot be estimated until the draft has been discussed within the pharmaceutical Whitley Council. I understand that the agreement covers provisions for on-call standby and work done payments.
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