Published: 08/02/21

The Scottish Government has released circular PCA(P)(2021)02 which advises NHS Boards and Practitioner Services of the arrangements for the NHS payment disbursement to persons working within an independent service provider setting, announced on 30 November 2020. 

National Services Scotland have collated a list of FAQs which should answer most queries.

Background

The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced on 30 November 2020 that NHS workers would be given a payment for their work to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The payment is a maximum of £500 per person for full time staff and a pro-rata amount for those working part time. This is a one-off payment, subject to the arrangements described below and is not to be considered as an ongoing pay commitment.

Arrangements

The arrangements relate to all persons working within an independent service provider setting, providing NHS services at any time between 17 March 2020 and 30 November 2020 for a minimum of 30 continuous days during the period. This includes all clinical and clerical staff.

The maximum payment of £500 is available to workers within the following service provider settings:

• General Practitioners and their practice teams, including administrative staff and practice managers;

• NHS Dentists and dental teams, including administrative staff and practice managers;

• Community optometrists and their optometry practice teams, including administrative staff and practice managers; and

• Community Pharmacists and their pharmacy teams.

People who work on a locum basis within the above service provider settings are eligible, provided they meet the conditions in paragraph 3. 6. The payment is available, either as a single payment where there is one employer, or as multiples where there is more than one employer. However, the maximum payment is £500 and claims made over that amount will be discounted within a reconciliation process carried out by Practitioner Services.

For those persons who work less than full-time, the £500 payment will be pro-rated. GPs and dentists will be regarded as full time where they work 40 hours a week (with the exception of salaried GPs and dentists who are contracted to work 37.5 hours a week). All other staff will be regarded as full time where they work 37.5 hours a week. Payments will be made on this basis of Whole Time Equivalence (WTE). Payments are limited to £500 per individual.

Pro-rating should be carried out on the basis of the claimant’s regular arrangements with the service provider. Where commitments have changed between 17 March 2020 and 30 November 2020, service providers should submit the claim based on the higher commitment over the period as long as that was worked for 30 continuous days.

Eligibility will not be affected by periods spent on furlough, joining or leaving a service provider between 17 March 2020 and 30 November 2020, sick leave, shielding or self isolation.