The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7416 p276
2 September 2006

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· Asthma
· Homoeopathy
· Controlled drugs
· Compliance aids
· MURs
· Safety (2)
· Retention fees
· The Society (2)

Letters to the Editor

Retention fees

A comparison with other professions

From Mr G. Diamond, MRPharmS

Under the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001, the Nursing and Midwifery Council is required to consult with registrants and other relevant parties before varying any fees related to registration. Like the Royal Pharmaceutical Society it offers a direct debit system, but the NMC is prepared to offer monthly payments to its members. Its consultation paper was sent to all NMC registrants, professional bodies, trade unions, consumer groups and government health departments, and is available on the NMC website. NMC fees are spent on fitness to practise (45 per cent), maintaining the register (22 per cent), standards promotion and policy development (14 per cent), communication and events (10 per cent) and governance (9 per cent).

A survey of the health professions showed the NMC retention fee was £80 per annum (0.4 per cent of salary), the General Optical Council’s was £169 (0.7 per cent of salary), the General Medical Council’s £290 (1.4 per cent of salary), the General Dental Council’s £409 (1.3 per cent of salary) and the Society’s £267 (1.2 per cent of salary). These salaries are based on starting level, so not truly representative but, none-the-less, an indicator for comparison. I think our fees are unnecessarily high and should be more in line with optometrists.

Also, unlike nurses, we are given little in the matter of discussion or choice with regard to setting the fee. Again, it is left to the chattering middle class of the Society’s Council with its grace and favour attitude towards its members.

Gerry Diamond
Manchester  

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