As part of the pay negotiations, the PDA negotiated an above inflation pay increase for 2026/2027 of 4%, pharmacists also receive an annual bonus. This is an improvement on last year’s pay increase of 3% and reflects the achievements of Crucible staff in the past year. The PDA also secured protected learning time within their contracted hours from 1 April 2026.
Meeting the learning needs of staff and the development of colleagues is vital to ensuring a skilled and motivated workforce in any environment. Crucible acknowledged that as professionals, pharmacists additionally need to keep up to date with current and emerging practice and undertake continuing professional development.
Securing protected learning time for pharmacists to maintain their professional practice is a negotiating principle for the PDA across all employers and this is the first time the PDA has secured this for its members. It sets an excellent precedent in terms of other employers recognising the importance of pharmacists’ continuing professional development.
Liz Larkin, PDA Organiser said, “We are pleased that Crucible recognise the importance of providing pharmacists with protected learning time. This was a direct request from PDA members and demonstrates the commitment of the employer to the development of their staff and the importance of pharmacists to continue to maintain and develop their professional competence.”
Graham Marsh, Crucible Director and Chief Pharmacist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said, “As an employer who strongly supports the development of its staff, Crucible Pharmacy Ltd is committed to ensuring staff receive excellent training opportunities. We also understand the importance of providing staff with protected time to undertake these continued professional development opportunities so that they can increase their own knowledge and skills to further enhance the care delivered to our patients.”
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