Well Pharmacy has said it will give its employees a second ‘recognition payment’ to thank staff for their “commitment, resilience and hard work throughout the pandemic”.

Pharmacists and pharmacy team leaders will each receive £150, with all other staff members receiving £100. This will be made in the October pay cycle and will not be subject to tax or national insurance deductions.

This amounts to a total investment of around £700,000 to thank staff for their efforts “and show the appreciation felt by the executive committee,” the company said on Friday (October 8).

Well operations director Louis Purchase said: “Covid has affected all of our lives, but none more so than healthcare workers. Community pharmacy has played a hugely important role in the healthcare response to Covid and I continue to be immensely proud when I hear examples of how our colleagues have gone above and beyond for patients over the last few years.

“Being on the frontline and the first port of call for community health during a pandemic has shown our colleagues’ true colours – their level of compassion, commitment and resilience is inspiring.”

People director Jacq Lunardi said: “Our people are at the heart of our strategy at Well. They’ve worked on the front line throughout the most challenging of circumstances and always stayed focused on our number one priority – the health and wellbeing of our patients.

“Today they are still going to great lengths to keep themselves and our patients Covid safe,” said Mr Lunardi, adding that the company hopes the payment “shows them how grateful we are to have such committed and caring colleagues”.