Further financial details of new Scottish contract
More details about the proposed financial framework for the new community pharmacy contract in Scotland were published this week.
The information is contained in a document produced by the Scottish Pharmaceutical
General Council. It describes not just the increase
in the global sum reported in last week’s Journal (22
April, p467) but other money which the SPGC sets out as the overall funding
package.
On top of the global sum are increased funding for preregistration training,
new money for infrastructure development and new funding to compensate
for out-of-hours pressures (which were created by the new GP contract).
Funding will additionally cover ongoing N3 running costs and, next year,
all contractors will receive access to Martindale.
The SPGC also includes in the overall funding package (see Panel): retained
purchase profit, local money for additional services (increased from £15.3m
in 2005–06) and funding through the new stoma contract (based on
current levels of activity). This brings the total to £216.417m
in 2006–07 and £227.93m in 2007–08.
Overall funding package (£000)
|
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
Global sum |
111,067 |
150,888 |
Transfer from generic reimbursement
|
30,000 |
*0 |
Retained purchase profit |
50,000 |
50,000 |
Preregistration training |
750 |
1,750 |
Infrastructure development
|
5,000 |
5,000 |
Out-of-hours pressures |
1,500 |
1,530 |
Martindale licences |
0 |
350 |
Additional (local) services
|
15,600 |
15,912 |
Stoma contract |
1,000 |
1,000 |
N3 running costs |
1,500 |
1,500 |
Total |
216,417 |
227,930 |
* in global sum
|
Frank Owens, SPGC
chairman, commented: “This is a good deal for
contractors. It provides both stability and financial security at a time
of significant change. It should also go a long way to restoring confidence
in the future.”
Mr Owens continued: “The next step must be to engage all contractors
in Scotland to ensure they understand fully the opportunities the new
contract will provide, both in the short term and in the longer term.
Contractors also need to understand the very significant dangers in rejecting
the deal.”
Bill Scott, chief pharmaceutical officer at the Scottish Executive, said: “This
financial framework represents a fair deal for community pharmacy contractors
and recognises the value of community pharmacy. In looking forward, it
is a package on which to build a secure future for community pharmacists
providing pharmaceutical care to both patients and members of the public
in Scotland.”
All contractors in Scotland will be sent a copy of the SPGC document,
which is also available online (PDF 270K).
The SPGC begins a series of new contract roadshows this week (Notice-board,
p499 PDF (40K)).
The roadshows will be followed by a postal ballot of contractors in mid-May. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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