November 28th 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Dispensing pressures heard by MPs

Rural MPs and local government members have heard of the financial challenges facing  dispensing practices.

In a presentation to a seminar on Rural Health and Care, DDA Chairman Dr Richard West highlighted current challenges facing dispensing GPs including dispensing at a loss, the lack of inflationary uplift since 2012, exclusion from the EPS/NHS IT funding and budget measures such as the employers’ NICS/Living Wage increase.

Dr West told the audience that current policy fell short of an ideal system that benefits the NHS, the patient and the practice.

Seminar attendees also heard research by Healthwatch North Yorkshire focused on improving healthcare take-up by farmers. Among the findings is that over a third (36%) would access mobile health units in local villages/towns.

However, Dr West questioned whether current rural GP profitability and workforce capacity was available to deliver such clinics.

The full farming report will be published by Healthwatch North Yorkshire in 2025. The organisation has also published a report on rural health inequalities.

The seminar also included a reminder for health and care professionals to submit views to the Rural Health Workforce Toolkit Call for Evidence.

This seeks to answer questions including:

• career development or progression opportunities in rural areas
• networking and peer learning opportunities without long or time-consuming journeys?