NHS Circular::
PCA(P)(2000)8

Health Department
Directorate of Primary Care

 

 

Dear Colleague

PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES: ADJUSTMENT TO REMUNERATION SCALES FOR ESSENTIAL SMALL PHARMACIES

Summary

1. This Circular draws the attention of Island Health Boards, Primary Care and Integrated NHS Trusts to the revised levels of remuneration of Essential Small Pharmacists (ESPs) from 1 April 2000.

Background

2. NHS Circular PCS(P)(2000)1 revised the special arrangements which exist for the remuneration of ESPs with effect from 1 April 2000. NHS Circular PCA(P)(2000)7 advised increases to other fees payable to pharmacy contractors from 1 April 2000. This Circular advises the levels of remuneration to ESPs from 1 April 2000.

Details

3. With effect from 1 April 2000 the following arrangements will apply:

3.1 The target monthly minimum income payment for full-time ESPs will be increased to £2,748.83

3.2 Full-time ESPs will receive the target monthly income payment or the aggregate of any fees (standard dispensing fees, instalment dispensing fees, extemp and appliance fees, controlled drug (excl methadone) fees, appliance M&F fees, urgent fees (excl oxygen) and quantity related fees) and professional allowance which would otherwise be due if higher.

20 September 2000

Addressees

For action:
General Managers,
Island Health Boards

Chief Executives,
Primary Care and Integrated NHS Trusts

General Manager,
Common Services Agency

 

For information:
General Managers,
Mainland Health Boards

 

Enquiries to:

Mr Blair White
SE HD
Directorate of Primary Care
Room 29/C1
St Andrew’s House
EDINBURGH EHI 3DG
Tel: 013 1-244 3433
Fax: 013 1-244 2621
e-mail: blair.white@scotland.gov.uk

3.3 Contractors who became part-time ESPs from 1 April 2000 are paid in accordance with sub-paragraph 3.2 above, except that the target monthly income payment only applies where premises are open for 15 or more hours per week. In such cases the target payments will be increased to:

  • Where open for 15 or more but less than 20 hours per week the target will be increased to £2,336.51.

  • Where open for 20 or more but less than 25 hours per week the target will be increased to £2,473.95.

  • Where open for 25 or more but less than 30 hours per week the target will be increased to £2,611.39.

3.4 Contractors who were part-time ESPs at 1 April 2000, including those who divide their time between two premises, are paid in accordance with sub-paragraph 3.3 above, or if they were also an ESP on 1 January 1999 through a reference payment where this is higher. From 1 April 2000 the reference payment already advised to individual contractors concerned is increased by 3%.

4. Practitioner Services (PS) have arranged for these new fees to commence with payments for August 2000 prescriptions. PS will arrange for a single back payment (from 1 April 2000 to 31 July 2000) to be made in respect of contractors paid in accordance with either target or reference payments. This is currently scheduled to be at the end of December together with payments for October prescriptions.

5. It is expected that with effect from August 2000 dispensings, the ESP allowances will be calculated more efficiently and back-payment reconciliation will no longer be necessary.

Action

6. Island Health Boards and Primary Care and Integrated Trusts should copy this Circular to all Essential Small Pharmacy contractors in their area.

Yours sincerely

 

DR HAMISH WILSON
Directorate of Primary Care