[johnep]

Today I found that no chance of me getting into Lambeth meeting, so all the hopes and fears of employees and locums rest on the shoulders of those going to Manchester. (regret too far for me).

Points I wished to make:

1) Extra services. MURs are higly regarded as income to multiples. No stock required and some minion does the work. If targets are not reached there is the threat of disciplinary action. Bet surgeons are not disciplined if fail to reach target number of ops.

2) Drug abuse pts. These are also being looked at as source of income by multiples. However, expect larger numbers to be handled without extra resources, If persuaded that Methadose/pump required, then follows afterwards not before. We are then informed that 'shrinkage' is running at £100 per day or more.
It is the weekend locum who is faced with the incorrect CD scripts etc, not the multiple officer playing a round of week end golf.

3) Contractors have the power but employees/locums have the responsibility when things go wrong. This will be exacerbated if employees/locums have to wear the mantle of 'responsible pharmacist'

4 Time away. Employers could well say we will accept scripts all morning and pharmacist will attend in afternoon (and only be paid for afternoon), but still with a days work to check etc.

The govnmt says it wants to talk to 'front line' pharmacists, but instead talks to the 'back room boys' of the multiples.

Make sure the govnmt knows the percentages of locums and employees in the workforce.

Trust the PDA will be speaking on our behalf.

johnep