Before setting up PL-UK I worked for Boots for 8 years as a relief manager, pharmacy manager and eventually store manager. Even then, in 2004, many of the more experienced managers were staying with Boots for one reason, the pension scheme. After the dot.com bubble burst, Boots were the only FTSE 100 company who had enough money in the pension scheme due to their foresight in pulling out of stocks and shares and moving all the funds to high quality bonds before the bubble burst.
So how do those same experienced managers feel now that Boots are trying to change the goalposts on them? Betrayed, annoyed, surprised? I would guess the first two but not the last.
It comes as no surprise nowadays when a company closes it’s final salary pension scheme as it’s happened so often but I do feel for my ex-colleagues. So what should they do?
To be honest, I don’t think there is a right answer. I would happily take them on to my agencies books as the vast majority are highly capable pharmacists who are professional, reliable and up to date with CPD. However, in terms or retirement planning, they are still probably safer working for Boots as “private” pensions are even more of a minefield than company pension schemes.
Having said that, if there are experienced pharmacists out there who decide that this is the last straw, give PL-UK a ring on 0333 123 3344, we’d be delighted to get you on board.

PL-UK – for all the best pharmacy jobs

Message from the PDA

Further to our last email, voting has now commenced for the employee
representatives to be involved in the consultation process for Alliance
Boots employees in the Final Salary Pension Scheme.

The following PDA Union pharmacists are standing for election as
employee representatives and we urge all eligible employees to use their
vote.

- Elaine Chapman
- Ross Flavell
- Mervyn Hodkinson
- Howard Ainsworth
- John Sargeant
- Paul Newman

Any PDA member who is elected as an employee representative will be
eligible for additional independent training and support, including
access to employment lawyers specialising in community pharmacy issues.
Employee representatives can also opt to receive additional training to
become an accredited PDA trade union representative.

In addition to using your vote, I would like to remind you of the PDA
Conference taking place over the weekend of 27th/28th February, where a
special session has been added to specifically address the proposals by
Alliance Boots.

Details of the conference can be found via the link at the bottom of
this email.

Kind regards

John Murphy
General Secretary
PDA Union

Don’t forget to register for the Annual PDA Conference, ‘THE GOOD, THE
BAD AND THE UGLY!’ on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th February 2010. Visit
http://www.the-pda.org for further details

Fantastic news – Rhubarb Crumble cancer “cure”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7214248/Rhubarb-crumble-the-new-cancer-busting-superfood.html

We are looking to work with professional, reliable pharmacists who are willing to work on an emergency booking basis.

For some reason we seem to be receiving more and more emergency requests every morning and companies are will to pay top rates to fill these last minute emergencies.

To work as one of our emergency locums we need locum pharmacists to be available from 8am in the morning so we can ensure that pharmacies open on time, or as need to on-time as possible.

Call Linda or Lynne if you are interested in working on an emergency basis 0333 123 3344

PL-UK – for all the best pharmacy jobs

We are looking for two experienced pharmacists to cover maternity leave for the Army. One vacancy is based in Wessex and one based in the North

Job Description:

Army Primary Healthcare Service delivers primary healthcare to the Army population and some dependant families.

As regional pharmacist you would be responsible for providing professional support, advice, guidance and auditing to 7 dispensing doctor practices and 4 practices whose dispensing service is provided by an external pharmacy. In addition to supporting the pharmacy Technicians in the dispensing practices, you would also be expected to provide advice and policy on safe and secure handling of all medicinal products including Controlled and Accountable drugs and refrigerated products. This would also involve advising on use of PGDs and enforcing MOD and Army Primary Healthcare Service policies on all aspects of prescribing , dispensary management and handling of medications.

The role is desk based in regional headquarters, but with opportunities to visit and liaise with practices. You would have the support of a Pharmacy technician who is also predominantly Headquarters based.

The ideal candidate would be someone with a broad range of experience in varying branches of Pharmacy, which would include some management expertise.
How to apply:

Call Shaun on 0333 123 3344 for more details.

To apply please email your CV and covering letter to shaun@pluk.co.uk or post to:

Freepost RRYZ-YTZG-CTTU
PL-UK Recruitment Ltd
6 Market Place
Bedale
DL8 1EQ