TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR LOCUM PHARMACISTS

 Agreements to provide locum services are legally binding whether made orally or in writing. Any pharmacist seeking or accepting bookings for such work through this company agree and accept the terms and conditions stated here and any additional terms applicable at the time a booking is accepted. Hereinafter, "the Agency" is taken to mean Nightingale Pharmacy Services. Each separate booking made between client and pharmacist will specify the precise duration, rates and fees agreed and other incidental matters relating to specific bookings.  

• 1. All pharmacists offering to provide professional services must be registered with The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) and are expected to operate and abide by the code of ethics as well as observing any reasonable rules in force at the clients' premises. The foregoing notwithstanding, the locum or deputy shall not be subject to the direction or control of the client relating to the manner in which professional services are provided.

• 2. Self employed locums are responsible for payment of their own tax and national insurance contributions. Work permit holders cannot work as self employed locums. For further information on  working status any work permit holder should contact our office for advice. It is the personal responsibility of the pharmacist to inform the agency of any matter or investigation which might affect continuing membership of the RPSGB and subsequent placements. Locum services are an agreement for professional services and the locum shall be an independent contractor for and not the servant of the client. Fees agreed to be paid to the pharmacist for professional services as part of the agency agreement between client and pharmacist via the agency shall not be subject to any deductions.

• 3. All bookings once accepted must be honoured. Should a pharmacist find themselves unwilling to complete an agreed booking it is their responsibility to find a replacement acceptable to the client. Any additional costs incurred as a result of such action are to be borne by the pharmacist accepting the initial booking as they are an independent contractor in their own right.

• 4. Except in the case of emergency and short notice bookings, a 24 hour cooling off period is allowed before an agreement is confirmed, during which time both pharmacist and client may withdraw from the agreement.

• 5. If a pharmacist fails to honour an agreement and does not provide acceptable replacement cover either the client or the agency shall secure necessary replacement cover and any additional costs incurred in so doing shall be the liability of the pharmacist failing to honour the agreement. In any such situation the pharmacist concerned will be invoiced for payment within 14 days of the tax point (invoice date).

• 6. Payment is made according to the rates agreed between client and pharmacist at the time the booking is agreed and is made directly to the pharmacist by the client. The agency accepts no responsibility for non-payment or late payment of fees or expenses.

• 7. If a client wishes to engage a pharmacist in either locum, regular, part or full time capacity where that pharmacist was introduced to the client by the agency, or where a client forwards the introduced pharmacist to another party which results in the pharmacist being engaged by that party, both client and pharmacists are liable to charges of £200 per day. If any client wishes to take over or otherwise employ a pharmacist provided by the agency, a fee equal to the standard recruitment fee for a pharmacist other than a daily locum booking fee or equivalent is required to be paid to the agency. Any outstanding bookings made on behalf of the pharmacist must be honoured, otherwise clauses 3 and 5 of these terms and conditions will apply to the pharmacist concerned in addition to the foregoing of this clause which shall apply to the pharmacist an client concerned. Where a pharmacist has already been engaged by a client where work is offered, it is the responsibility of the pharmacist to make that fact known to the agency. This clause shall apply for a period of twelve months from the date of the first booking made.

• 8. Professional indemnity insurance and personal insurance are not provided via any agreement with the agency. Where a pharmacist believes National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) or similar professional indemnity is not adequate for their purposes, we strongly recommend they seek alternative indemnity insurance. The agency cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury sustained whilst undertaking work provided through the agency.