The RPS in England has welcomed new NHS arrangements to introduce a state-backed indemnity scheme for general practice from 1 April 2019. The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice will for the first time cover practice pharmacists, as well as contracted GPs and members of the wider general practice team.
Chair of the RPS in England Sandra Gidley said:
“The inclusion of pharmacists in the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice is good news and an important step in further smoothing the path of practice pharmacists in GP surgeries.
“This investment is a vote of confidence by the NHS in the future role of pharmacists as part of the multidisciplinary team in primary care. It will also come as a welcome relief to those who have had to bear the burden of rising professional indemnity costs. It’s only right that as part of the primary care team, pharmacists should be covered by this insurance.
"As primary care services continue to evolve, it's important the scheme is extended to cover pharmacists delivering services under the community pharmacy contract."