The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7329 p865
11 December 2004
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Society summary |
Collection of retention fees for 2005
When will I get my retention fee form? Following the Privy Council’s approved the proposed changes to the Society’s Byelaws (PJ, 4 December, p833), pharmacists’ retention fee forms were posted out between 6 and 10 December. What if I do not receive my form or if I lose it? If you have not received your form by Friday 17 December, or if you lose or misplace your form, please contact the registration section by telephone (020 7572 2322) or e-mail (registration@rpsgb.org). How much do I have to pay? If you are a practising member, the fee is £256. If you are a non-practising member, the fee is £46. The part-time fee and the overseas members’ fee have been discontinued, as has the reduced fee for those not practising because of ill health or because they are aged over 60 years. When must I make payment? Fees are payable on 1 January 2005. If you have not paid by the end of January 2005 you will be sent a statutory demand. If payment is not forthcoming after the issue of the demand, you risk being erased for non-payment. Payment methods How do I pay my fee online? You can pay your fee online. All you need is your retention fee form number and your registration number, both of which are on your form, and your payment card details. The secure payment site will accept major credit and debit cards. Using the website is quick and easy. It is the most cost effective way to pay, and you will be sent an e-mail acknowledgement as soon as payment has been received. Can I pay by direct debit? If you already have a direct debit instruction
with the Society, then the practising fee will be debited from your account
on or shortly after 4 January 2005. Please ensure there are sufficient
funds in your account. If you do not already have a direct debit instruction,
it is too late to set one up for the 2005 fee. Direct debit can only
be used to pay the practising fee. Can I still pay by cheque? If you do not have a direct debit instruction and do not wish to pay online using a credit or debit card, then you can pay by cheque. Cheques should be in pounds sterling and drawn on a UK bank account. Cheques should be made payable to “RPSGB (member)” and returned with the retention fee form in the prepaid reply envelope. Please do not include any other payment on your cheque. Can I pay by any other method? Payment can only be made online, through an existing direct debit instruction or by cheque. You cannot pay by telephone, by postal order, by BACS (bank automated clearing system) or by internet banking payment direct into the Society’s account. What do I do if I have a query about payment? If you have a query about making your payment, please telephone or e-mail the registration section. Will I be sent a receipt? Online payments are acknowledged instantly by e-mail. All members will receive a receipt within 28 days of making payment. What if I cannot afford to pay? The Benevolent Fund can assist those members most in need, but it is by no means a foregone conclusion that the fund will assist every application for assistance. Retiring from the register What do I have to do to retire from the register? Please complete the retention fee form by ticking the “I wish to retire” box and return your certificate of registration with your form. No payment is required. … and if I later wish to return to the register? If you wish to return to the register after retiring, you will be required to pay a restoration application fee and the current year’s retention fee. You will be subject to continuing professional development requirements when these become mandatory and may be required to complete a personal development plan. Dealing with problems Of course, there may be a few problems. The Society is introducing a new fee structure and asking members to make a declaration on the retention fee form for the first time. Am I practising? The leaflet “Helping you make the right decision”, distributed with last week’s Pharmaceutical Journal, is a useful resource for members who do not clearly fall into the practising category. The leaflet can be downloaded from the Society’s website if you missed it. If you have difficulty working out whether you are classed as practising, please make use of the telephone helpline (tel 0845 606 6285) or the e-mail help address (am_i_practising@rpsgb.org). Signing the declaration Do I have to sign the declaration on the retention fee form? Yes, if you can. If you fail to sign it, you will be asked why you have not signed. You should complete the declaration whether you are practising or non-practising. What if I an unable to sign the declaration? If you have been convicted of a criminal offence, bound over, conditionally discharged, cautioned or reported to a procurator fiscal and have not already informed the Registrar, then you must do so. Similarly, if you are the subject of ongoing or pending criminal proceedings or ongoing or pending fitness-to-practise proceedings by a licensing or regulatory body, then you must advise the Registrar. A form is available to download. Complete the form and return it with your retention fee form. If you do not have access to the internet, please telephone or e-mail the registration section for a copy of the form. Does a speeding ticket count? Does an arrest count? If you are unsure whether you need to advise the Registrar about a hearing or conviction, then it is best to declare it and complete a form and return it with your retention fee form. What will happen to me? What will happen next? Once you have completed the form, return it with your retention fee form in the prepaid envelope. Where convictions and proceedings are declared, these will be screened on a case-by-case basis. You will be notified within a reasonable timescale in the event that a formal investigation or hearing is required. What will happen to me if I don’t supply the details? If you deliberately mislead, you will be in breach of the Code of Ethics and may be disciplined by the Society. |