Pharmacy Voice has welcomed the improvements made by PSNC and NHS Employers to the New Medicine Service payment structure.
From May 2012 contractors will earn between £20 and £28 for each full NMS intervention they provide depending on the total number of patients who receive the service in the month. The new structure will provide reward for each NMS provided whilst also encouraging the provision of the service to the greatest number of patients.
In recognition of the work that contractors undertook between October 2011 and April 2012, a loyalty payment will be made to contractors for activity that fell below the first target level or between target levels. Claims for NMS full service interventions submitted for this period which fell below the first target level will be rewarded at £20 each while those which fell between bands will be rewarded at £25 per intervention.
Rob Darracott, Chief Executive of Pharmacy Voice said:
“NMS is a good news story, a chance for our sector to demonstrate to current and future commissioners that we effectively support patients and improve efficiencies in the NHS through better medicines adherence. We are pleased that PSNC and NHS Employers have worked to improve the funding structure so that contractors are rewarded and recognised for the extra work they have already put in and are putting in.
“Implementation is always a challenge but it is important that concerns about funding should not get in the way of effective provision from the start, particularly of a service which is going to be closely evaluated for value.”
Leyla Hannbeck, Head of Information Services at the NPA said:
“Our fear has always been that payment issues would de-motivate the pharmacy team to the detriment of the service and patients. Our members understand the importance of this service - it is important that they are fairly rewarded for the extra work they are putting in. We are pleased that the issues have now been improved and we will continue to encourage pharmacy teams to fully engage with the service.”