HC Deb 26 February 2002 vol 380 c1088W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of pharmacists are employed at grades(a) D and (b) E level in (i) hospital pharmacies and (ii) PCG/PCT pharmacies. [37137]

Ms Blears

The information requested is in the table.

Percentage of Grade D and E pharmacists employed at trusts
Grade Whole time equivalent Headcount
D 32 32
E 17 16

Notes:

  1. 1. The above information is for a sample of NHS trusts. It shows what percentage grade D and E make up of the total number of pharmacists.
  2. 2. The sample of PCT we have available is too limited to provide meaningful data on this subject.
  3. 3.We do not hold information on PCGs.
  4. (4.) NHS Earnings Survey 2000. The results are based on a survey at August 2000 covering almost 500 thousand staff, (about 50 per cent. of NHS trusts and health authorities) with pay information taken directly from payroll records.

Source: Department of Health: 2000 Earnings Survey.

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the vacancy rates for hospital pharmacists in each hospital trust in the last 12 months. [37617]

Mr. Hutton

The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to promote an extended role for pharmacists in performing medication review. [37142]

Ms Blears

The NHS Plan set a target for all primary care trusts to have schemes in place so that people get more help from pharmacists in using their medicines by 2004. We have set up a collaborative medicines management programme, hosted by the National Prescribing Centre. The first wave of 26 pilot sites was announced last July and the second wave of 40 sites was announced on 12 February. We are also supporting a trial of structured services based exclusively in community pharmacies for patients with coronary heart disease. These initiatives build on and complement other local initiatives under which pharmacists are involved in reviewing patients' medication.

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to minimise the handling charge imposed by pharmacists dealing with monitored dosage systems. [37127]

Ms Blears

Under their national health service terms of service, pharmacies are not required to provide monitored dosage systems. Any charges for the supply of monitored dosage systems are therefore a commercial matter.