Pharmacy teams in Scotland will receive a one-off payment of £500 as a thanks for their work on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government has announced.

The pro-rated payment will be made to over 300,000 NHS and social care workers employed since 17 March, including staff who have had to shield, or who have since retired.

The bonus scheme is being funded by the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 support package.

Full time workers will receive £500, while those working part time will get ‘a proportionate share’, the Scottish Government said.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon said the payment was being made because appreciation for health and care workers must be shown ‘in a more tangible way’.

She added: ‘The money will be paid in this financial year and it will be separate from any negotiations about pay for the longer term. There are no strings attached.

‘Of course, a payment like this can never come close to expressing our full admiration for those who have cared for us so heroically. But to our health and care workers, it is a demonstration of what we collectively owe you – and a heartfelt thank you for the sacrifices you have made.'

‘An integral part of Covid response’

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) said it was ‘delighted’ that pharmacy teams will be financially recognised for their contribution.

'It has been said many times that community pharmacy team members have been going above and beyond through this period and have played an integral part of the NHS response to Covid-19. This [payment] recognises this in real terms,’ a CPS spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the details of the payment will have to be ‘worked through’ as the NHS is not the direct employer of individuals working in community pharmacy teams.

‘CPS will work to deliver as practical a solution as is possible in a timely manner and work will start on this, with our members and Scottish Government, in the coming days and weeks,’ they said.