PSNC has responded to the Department of Health's latest consultation on the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances and related services to primary care.

Although the Department has made a number of revisions to their proposals, the fee levels proposed remain wholly unrealistic and fail to offer any incentive to pharmacy contractors to provide the service. Implementation of the proposals as set out will inevitably have the effect of concentrating the market for supply of stoma and incontinence products in a few large scale providers, removing choice and access for patients.

The response can be downloaded in full from the consultation responses section of the PSNC Website (psnc/consultations).

Notes:

1. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is the body that represents community pharmacy on NHS matters and seeks to secure the best possible NHS services provided by pharmacy contractors in England and Wales.

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee