The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has warned the Government its planned 2.4 per cent pay rise for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals on Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts risks weakening the NHS workforce.
In evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body on terms for 2027-28, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it had “developed financial and delivery plans that currently plan for a pay uplift of 2.4 per cent without having to make trade-offs against headline government health commitments”.
The DHSC, who also submitted its evidence to the Senior Salaries Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists’ Remuneration on Monday, warned if the pay review bodies responded by recommending an increase above 2.4 per cent, it would have to come from “within existing DHSC budgets”.
“Accepting such an award would inevitably have an impact on healthcare delivery,” it said, claiming every 0.5 per cent pay increase costs around £750 million, the equivalent of more than 89,000 hip or knee replacement operations.
“That’s why anything above the pay plan outlined will require difficult trade-offs for the government, particularly as most of the budget is already committed in integrated care board allocations,” the DHSC said.
However, the PDA said it was “important” to remember that the DHSC’s evidence to the pay review bodies was “not a negotiation process” and was “not an offer” and warned NHS staff should not be expected “to do more for less”.
“Pay awards for staff on the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale have been considerably below those given to doctors and dentists,” the PDA said.
“Cumulative uplifts for resident doctors in England from 2023 to 2026 have topped up their pay by 35 per cent. Meanwhile, Agenda for Change staff have had headline pay rises of 18.5 per cent in the same period.”
The PDA warned the DHSC’s evidence was “framed around what ministers and employers say they can afford rather than what is needed to recruit, retain and properly reward the workforce”.
The PDA added: “NHS pharmacists have seen the scope and complexity of their work increase significantly in recent years.
“They are helping to deliver more clinical services, taking on greater responsibility and playing a crucial role in providing safe patient care.”
It promised to continue pushing the case “for fair pay and rewarding careers for NHS pharmacists” and called for pharmacy students have full access to the Learning Support Fund.
