Scottish health boards told to prepare for new contract
How NHS boards in Scotland need to prepare for the implementation of the electronic minor ailments service (eMAS) was set out by the Scottish Executive this week.
A health department letter describes the infrastructure required to operate
eMAS, one of the four core services in the new
community pharmacy contract in Scotland. It is scheduled to be implemented in April next year.
Among the tasks that NHS boards need to tackle now are: managing the
stationery required to register patients to prescribe within eMAS, meeting
technology requirements for the service, completing N3 connection, and
ensuring effective communication with pharmacy contractors.
On stationery, the letter states that health boards should contact pharmacists
to explain how they should order the required CP2 prescription pads.
All contractors should receive an initial supply of forms by 1 March
2006.
A further health department letter is expected shortly that will set
out the full details of how the new contract is to be implemented. This
will explain the support that will be made available to contractors,
including local IM&T facilitators and local community pharmacy practitioner
champions.
The Journal will begin a series on the new
contract in Scotland next
week. |
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