By Neil Trainis

The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists has urged its members not to carry out any tasks they are not qualified to perform when junior doctors strike this month and urged pharmacists who have been asked to work extra hours or cancel their annual leave because of the industrial action to get in touch.

In a statement released today, the GHP said pharmacists should stick to their job description and ensure they are “qualified, competent and safe” to undertake any work they are asked to do.

Tens of thousands of junior doctors in England will strike from March 13-15 over a dispute with the government on pay and safe staffing. The British Medical Association Union said junior doctors are “demoralised, angry and no longer willing to work for wages that have seen a real-terms decline of over 26 per cent in the past 15 years.”

The GHP is concerned about the knock-on impact the strike could have on its members and in a statement, its national organising and professional committee said: “(Our) members are advised to only carry out work that they are qualified, competent and safe to undertake that is contained within their job description.

“With current pharmacy staffing challenges it is unlikely that any additional capacity will be available to carry out tasks usually performed by junior doctors.

“It would be inappropriate for GHP members to work additional hours as to do so would undermine lawful industrial action by medical staff. Industrial action is always a last resort for any healthcare professional and has been caused by the refusal of the Government to engage in pay negotiations.”

Mina Eii, the GHP’s vice-chair of sustainability, took to Twitter to say: “Have you been asked to take on more duties, work extra hours, cancel annual leave because of junior doctors’ strike? We’d like to hear from you.”

Junior doctors went on strike for three days in 2016 to protest against the government's contractual changes (pictured.)