The Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (ASP) validation exercise has now concluded, and the results are due to be issued imminently to all candidates by the HSE. 

This process was part of the Hospital Pharmacy Agreement concluded last year, which outlines a career structure and pathway for hospital pharmacists.

In total, 390 applications were received. 335 of these were determined to be valid by the HSE. Of the 335 valid applications assessed, 70% have been deemed successful. For successful candidates, the effective date of appointment to the ASP role is 1st September 2024. Union officials will engage locally to ascertain when backdated payments will be made. 

National secretary Linda Kelly said: “This high success rate is very positive news and a huge credit to our pharmacy members who persevered over the course of many years to see this agreement implemented. It proves that a large number of members were working at a higher level than their formal grade took into account.” 

For unsuccessful candidates there is no agreed appeals process and the HSE views the results of this exercise as definitive. Members can only lodge an appeal if they believe there has been an error in the process.

Linda said: “We are continuing to engage with HSE National Employee Relations on whether a formal appeals process is required.”

Any unsuccessful candidates who believe an appeal is warranted, should raise their concern in detail by email to applyalliedhealth@hse.ie  within five working days of any decision notified to them.  

This validation exercise only applied to pharmacists working in acute settings. A claim for pharmacists in non-acute settings is being progressed under Local Bargaining. A national working group of representatives has been established, and concerned members will be updated by email. 

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