New contract ballot papers go out
New contract ballot papers are to be sent to pharmacy contractors in England and Wales by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee next week.
If contractors vote to accept the proposed framework for the new National
Health Service community
pharmacy contract (PJ, 19 July, p77), they will
have a chance to vote on the details of the contract and its financial
arrangements at a later date.
Steven Williams, chairman of the PSNC’s contract planning subcommittee,
said: “The aim of this preliminary ballot is to demonstrate to
the Government that, given adequate funding and incentives, community
pharmacies are ready and willing to increase their role in NHS primary
care. A mandate from contractors at this stage is very important prior
to us entering into the negotiations on funding.”
The PSNC believes that the possibility of a new contract provides an
unprecedented opportunity to create a secure and healthy future for pharmacy
contractors.
PSNC changes Reform of the PSNC will see three places allocated
for representatives of the Association of Independent Multiple pharmacies
(AIMp), less than two years after the group was established. The
committee will expand to 31 members, with an additional three nominees
from the Company Chemists Association. The PSNC is also pursuing
becoming a company limited by guarantee as a way of protecting committee
members from liability.
AIMp chairman Peter Cattee told The Journal that he is pleased to
see official recognition for the independent multiple sector, with three places
being “fair
representation” for them.
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