The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has expressed "extreme disappointment" that the UK government offered new pay to NHS consultants, while nursing pay deal
remain disputed.
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen has written to new Health Secretary Victoria Atkins demanding fresh negotiations regarding this year's pay
deal, and requested an urgent meeting to discuss their dispute.
Pat warned that more than 100,000 RCN members in England voted for continued strike action in June, as they feel undervalued.
"The government has now shown it has the political will to negotiate on pay reform for some of the highest earners in the NHS in contrast to our members who
received the lowest pay rise in the public sector," she wrote in the letter.
NHS nursing staff in England was awarded a five per cent pay rise 2023/24, but the union argued that it is not enough to keep up with inflation.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published its general election manifesto highlighting some of the key challenges the next Government will face to
support patients and the NHS.
The manifesto calls on general election candidates to show their support to securing patient access to medicines, a better-connected NHS, enhancing accessible
prescribing in local communities, and maximising health improvement through locally accessible pharmacy teams.
Candidates are urged to called on the next Government, if elected, to support the pharmacy workforce to deliver patient care, unlock the potential of new advances
in medicines, and continue to support funding for the UK science and research community.
The manifesto highlights the need for investment in IT infrastructure to support a better-connected NHS to enable all health professionals to access and update a
patient's record.
In a significant development, the British Medical Association's (BMA) consultants committee has voted to accept the government's offer on pay for senior
doctors in England, along with proposed reforms to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB).
This decision follows a prolonged dispute between consultants and the government, which spanned over a year, involving unprecedented industrial actions.
Committee Chair Vishal Sharma described the agreement as "the end of the beginning" in consultants' endeavors to restore their pay levels to those of 2008.
Stressing the importance of the review body's independence in averting future pay disputes, Sharma emphasized the imperative role of utilizing this autonomy
effectively.
A staggering 83% of consultants participating in the three-week referendum voted in favor of accepting the offer, signaling a widespread endorsement of the
agreement within the profession.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced adjustments to the reimbursement rates for several Aptamil products dispensed earlier this
year, following a pricing error that left pharmacies out of pocket.
The changes, which apply to products dispensed between January and April 2024, come after Community Pharmacy England (CPE) raised concerns about discrepancies
in the pricing data used by the NHS.
The issue stemmed from recent price increases by Nutricia Ltd, the manufacturer of Aptamil, which were not reflected in the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and
Devices (dm+d).
To address the shortfall, the DHSC has retrospectively increased the reimbursement prices for the following Aptamil products:
- Aptamil Anti-Reflux powder (800g): From £14.29 to £16.08
- Aptamil Comfort milk (800g): From £14.29 to £16.08
- Aptamil First milk powder (200ml): From £0.92 to £1.06
- Aptamil Follow On milk (200ml): From £0.92 to £1.06
- Aptamil Lactose Free powder (400g): From £7.70 to £8.39
These changes, effective from January 2024, are intended to ensure that pharmacies are appropriately reimbursed for the cost of these products.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has written to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) to highlight several important points regarding their
proposed "day of action" on 20 June 2024.
The NPA describes this initiative as a response to the "emergency across the community pharmacy sector."
In a letter addressed to NPA Chair Nick Kaye and Chief Executive Paul Rees, the PDA's director of pharmacy, Jay Badenhorst stressed the need for NPA members to
consider their obligations to staff and patients before participating in the planned actions.
He stated, "We are supportive of a new contractual framework for the community pharmacy sector."
"However, any actions taken must ensure the safety of patients and the operational integrity of pharmacies."
The PDA's letter also expressed concerns over the safety and operational impact of the proposed symbolic gestures, including turning off lights and blacking out
windows.