Pay uplift for public sector workforce

Responding to the recent announcement of the funding uplift to the GP contract and 6% pay rise for the public sector workforce (inclusive of eligible junior doctors, consultants, dentists, and senior NHS staff), we have released the following statement.

Our Chief Executive Janet Morrison said:

“The public sector workforce pay rise will be welcome news for its recipients given the huge inflationary pressures and the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis. But for community pharmacy owners – who have faced 30% funding cuts in recent years and who are struggling to meet their rising wage costs – this feels unfair, and very far from good news.

At Community Pharmacy England we are fully focused on the current financial and operational pressures and fighting hard for a sustainable long-term funding arrangement. The £645 million Access Fund investment in community pharmacies will bring vital additional funds into the sector, and complex negotiations on this are continuing at pace. This week’s pay announcement will undoubtedly put yet more pressure on squeezed healthcare funding, but it is critical that pharmacies get a fair deal and all the support they need to continue carrying out the services that patients, the public, and the NHS need.”