The NHS Staff Council have published an updated version of the on call FAQs (click here).

Of particular interest to pharmacists will be the question around professional discretion (question 14). Under the Whitley arrangements to provide emergency duty cover, the pharmacist could exercise professional discretion when deciding how to deal with a call in relation to whether or not they needed to attend the workplace. Under the new definition of on call, the ability to do this was less clear. The new FAQ answers this issue very clearly. The pharmacist can still exercise professional discretion when deciding if they need to return to work or not.

"This was an important issue for our members" said Dave Thornton, Chair of Terms and Conditions, GHP. "The Guild raised this issue during the consultation process and it was further highlighted at the NHS Staff Council On Call Sub Group by the Unite member, Barrie Brown. Clarification of this issue and inclusion within the new FAQs clearly demonstrates the benefits GHP's membership of Unite (and thereby a direct link into the NHS Staff Council) has delivered for our members" he added.