§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to address the pay differentials between community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists. [137741]
§ Mr. DenhamFor 1999–2000 lower graded hospital pharmacists were targeted for an enhanced pay award of up to 12 per cent. to help address recruitment and retention problems. Hospital pharmacists in common with other groups of non pay review body staff have been offered a pay increase of 3.25 per cent. for 2000–01, and for 2001–02 a minimum increase of RPIX at December 2000 plus 0.5 per cent. subject to progress on negotiations with the trade unions on proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system.
The NHS does not directly employ or determine the pay of pharmacists working in community pharmacies.
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§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce postgraduate structured training and experience programmes for pharmacists(a) for newly qualified graduates and (b) for existing community and hospital pharmacists. [137854]
§ Mr. DenhamA range of postgraduate training opportunities is available to both community and hospital pharmacists.