The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7338 p229
26 February 2005

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Contract 2005

Strategic tests published to help PCTs exploit new contract

The National Primary and Care Trust Development Programme has published a set of strategic tests to help primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities in England make the most of the new community pharmacy contract.

The tests ask how PCTs are maximising the contribution of community pharmacy, as well as how they are integrating community pharmacy into the NHS and improving access. They raise questions about how PCTs are using IT reforms, how they are involving patients in needs assessments, developing skill mixes and encouraging a plurality providers.

NatPaCT has also published answers to questions frequently asked about the new contract PDF (120K). The answers explain what is expected of PCTs and how they should work with community pharmacies to ensure they are able to deliver essential services.