“We will address concerns over new contract,” Scottish pharmacists told
Frank Owens addressing the SPGC convention at the University of
Stirling. He said that there is anxiety among contractors about financial
risks |
Concerns raised by pharmacy contractors about the implementation of the Scottish pharmaceutical care strategy will be addressed during discussions on the new contract, participants in the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council's first convention have been told.
Dr Hamish Wilson, head of the primary care division of the Scottish Executive
Health Department, told the meeting in Stirling on 2 November that if
the SPGC were to provide a list of pharmacy contractors’ main concerns,
these would be addressed by the department during the negotiating process.
The new Scottish pharmacy contract is expected to be put in place from
April 2005.
Dr Wilson was responding to an address from SPGC chairman Frank Owens,
who said: “There is a great deal of anxiety among community pharmacists — particularly
about funding. Contractor pharmacists have invested significant sums
in the provision of National Health Service services. They worry about
the financial risk of moving forward. The SPGC would like to work with
you to replace that anxiety with a renewed confidence. We need to work
together to deliver a contract underpinned by adequate resources.”
Following Dr Wilson’s comments, the SPGC said that the commitment
he made was “indicative of the spirit of partnership which has
existed in our work so far to deliver the new contract”.
A list of anxieties, compiled from feedback from contractors, is to be
presented at a meeting between the two sides on 17 November. |
