Since the introduction of the Pharmacy Contract in 2005, PCOs have had a responsibility to monitor the compliance of pharmacy contractors within their area to ensure that core, advanced and locally commissioned enhanced services have been delivered in line with the service specifications and local governance arrangements.
SCL has assisted local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in undertaking these visits, offering years of community pharmacy experience, including employee and owner status, coupled with many years experience of working closely with PCTs in service delivery and implementation of the contract itself.
SCL staff have visited pharmacies with a member of PCT staff and assessed performance against an agreed framework, generating evidence of contractor performance. Due to our experience we have been able to offer solutions to contractors where compliance issues have been found, and provide immediate and constructive feedback, ensuring that both the PCT and contractors view the monitoring process as a positive experience alike.
This is our fourth year of support for NHS Coventry and feedback in that area has been positive and the consistency of having the same people visit has helped to reduce contractor anxiety. The experience that our staff bring to the monitoring process has also been seen as positive by many contractors and the PCT alike.