We have detected that you are using Internet Explorer to visit this website. Internet Explorer is now being phased out by Microsoft. As a result, NHS Digital no longer supports any version of Internet Explorer for our web-based products, as it involves considerable extra effort and expense, which cannot be justified from public funds. Some features on this site will not work. You should use a modern browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If you have difficulty installing or accessing a different browser, contact your IT support team.
Proposed Dispensing Feescales for GMS Contractors, England and Wales - 2015, October release
- Publication Date:
- 24 Sep 2015
- Date Range:
- 01 Oct 2015 to 30 Sep 2016
Summary
This report details the new dispensing feescales for General Medical Service (GMS) contractors in England and Wales from 1 October 2015.
Highlights
In order to introduce new dispensing feescales from 1 October 2015 on the existing doctor-based banding basis, the following have been calculated, based on formulae determined by negotiating parties.
The figures are calculated using data for England and it is anticipated that they will also be accepted for use in Wales:
- The dispensing envelope for 2015/16 is 176.1 million. This is calculated by taking the 2014/15 envelope (174.2 million) and adjusting this figure for any over/underspend in 2014/15 and uplifting the cost element and profit element.
- The average volume increase of fees is 1.42 per cent. This is the average annual percentage increase in volume of fees over the last 2 years. This is used to adjust for the forecast volume in dispensing fees.
- The proposed feescales to be implemented from 1 October 2015 which will deliver the envelope for 2015/16, are detailed in the ‘Proposed New Feescales’ section of the paper.
- The average volume increase of 1.42 per cent is applied to each existing banding to calculate new bandings in the proposed feescale.
- An adjustment factor of 0.965 is applied to each pence value at each banding to get a new value in the proposed feescale. This adjustment factor is applied so that the new fees will deliver the remaining envelope for 2015/16
The methodology used in calculating the feescales follows that agreed between the BMA General Practitioners Committee, NHS Employers, the Department of Health in England and the Welsh Government.
The methodology was agreed in March 2012. The Technical Steering Committee has agreed the calculated figures for 2015/16.