New funding for IT upgrades for Scotland pharmacies
Pharmacy contractors in Scotland are to receive additional funding towards
upgrading their computer software in preparation for the new
contract.
The Scottish Executive announced this week that every contractor will
receive £500 towards the cost of installing software to run the
electronic minor ailment service. Payment is conditional on the provision
of evidence to show that the software has been installed and works.
Frank Owens, chairman of the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council,
said that upgrades need to start now.
“Clearly software suppliers cannot upgrade every pharmacy on 31
March 2006 — it will take time for software engineers to visit
pharmacies and to carry out the necessary work,” he said. Contractors
should contact their system suppliers as soon as possible to arrange
upgrades.
This week’s funding is in addition to the £450 paid earlier
this year for upgrading patient medication records systems and other
investment not paid to contractors but from which they benefit. This
includes (per contractor) £500 for N3 connection, £1,350
each year for N3 running costs and £300 for the eMAS software development. |
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