Scotland to have local pharmacist lists
Pharmacists in Scotland who provide services under the new community pharmacy contract will be required to register with local NHS boards. However, delays in the legislative process mean that this requirement will not be introduced until later in the year.
An NHS circular (PDF 180K) states that the purpose of NHS boards keeping
a “Pharmaceutical
care services performers’ list” is to enhance clinical governance
arrangements within community pharmacy. It points out that the approach
is the same for all other primary care contractor groups in Scotland.
Guidance on how pharmacists will have to demonstrate their fitness to
practise will be issued shortly.
The requirement — which takes Scotland in a different direction
from England, where local
lists have recently been shelved (PJ, 13 May,
p555) — is one of a number of regulatory arrangements underpinning
the new contract. Another key requirement is a duty on NHS boards to
plan and secure the provision of pharmaceutical care services. These
plans will replace the current control of entry arrangements.
The circular states that the drafting of the regulations is taking longer
than estimated — the earliest they can now be introduced is September.
The minor ailment and public health services will still be implemented
on 1 July using the current legislative framework. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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